OLSR Leads Clustered Multi-UAV Routing Test for Disaster Rescue Networks
OLSR delivered the strongest simulated performance for clustered multi-UAV communications in disaster search-and-rescue networks.
A simulation study using NS-3 evaluated a cluster-based multi-UAV communication system designed for search-and-rescue operations in disaster-affected areas. The work focused on three core network challenges: maintaining connectivity, transmitting data efficiently and enabling coordination among UAVs operating in critical environments.
The system was modeled as a four-layer architecture made up of a Base Station, Cluster Head, Clustered Drone and User Equipment. Three routing protocols were compared across UAV mobility patterns: OLSR, AODV and DSDV, tested under Gauss-Markov, Random Waypoint and Reference Point Group Mobility models.
The evaluation tracked wireless quality-of-service metrics including throughput, packet delivery ratio, delay and packet loss. The best result came from the cluster-based multi-UAV model using OLSR under the RPGM mobility model, which reported 67.57% average throughput, an 87.47% packet delivery ratio, 86 ms delay and 12.53% packet loss.
OLSR showed the highest consistency at small to medium node densities, with higher throughput and packet delivery ratio and lower delay and packet loss than AODV and DSDV. The findings point to cluster-based UAV networking as a practical direction for more stable emergency communications, giving system designers a clearer routing option for dynamic disaster zones.