DEVS-Based Simulation for Search and Rescue Missions Involving Multiple UAVS

Abstract

Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for searching for targets is a complex problem whose applications range from military operations (e.g. targets localization or border surveillance) to civil missions (e.g. mountain or sea rescue). Simulations of real-world operations play an important role in determining the best search strategies to be used. The high number of elements involved in the problem makes real-time simulations an useful tool for system elements coordination, data handling confluence, etc. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles can also be exploited to define the behavior of the whole system from the behaviors of its elements. This paper presents a Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) modular and hierarchical architecture for simulating real-world target-search scenarios that enhances the adaptability, reusability and scalability properties of our system. The simulations show the benefits of our architecture, which allows to automatically profile and straightforward evaluate different models to select the best alternative.