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Cost-Minimizing System Design for Surveillance of Large, Inaccessible Agricultural Areas Using Drones of Limited Range

Author

Listed:
  • Luis Vargas Tamayo

    (Texas A&M University-Central Texas, Department of Science and Mathematics Killeen, TX 76549, USA)

  • Christopher Thron

    (Texas A&M University-Central Texas, Department of Science and Mathematics Killeen, TX 76549, USA)

  • Jean Louis Kedieng Ebongue Fendji

    (University Institute of Technology, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454 Ngaoundéré, Cameroon)

  • Shauna-Kay Thomas

    (Texas A&M University-Central Texas, Department of Science and Mathematics Killeen, TX 76549, USA)

  • Anna Förster

    (Sustainable Communication Networks, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

Abstract

Drones are used increasingly for agricultural surveillance. The limited flight range of drones poses a problem for surveillance of large, inaccessible areas. One possible solution is to place autonomous, solar-powered charging stations within the area of interest, where the drone can recharge during its mission. This paper designs and implements a software system for planning low-cost drone coverage of large areas. The software produces a feasible, cost-minimizing charging station placement, as well as a drone path specification. Multiple optimizations are required, which are formulated as integer linear programs. In extensive simulations, the resulting drone paths achieved 70–90 percent of theoretical optimal performance in terms of minimizing mission time for a given number of charging stations, for a variety of field configurations.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis Vargas Tamayo & Christopher Thron & Jean Louis Kedieng Ebongue Fendji & Shauna-Kay Thomas & Anna Förster, 2020. "Cost-Minimizing System Design for Surveillance of Large, Inaccessible Agricultural Areas Using Drones of Limited Range," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:21:p:8878-:d:434909
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Sanaz Shafian & Nithya Rajan & Ronnie Schnell & Muthukumar Bagavathiannan & John Valasek & Yeyin Shi & Jeff Olsenholler, 2018. "Unmanned aerial systems-based remote sensing for monitoring sorghum growth and development," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Chen, Assaf & Orlov-Levin, Valerie & Meron, Moshe, 2019. "Applying high-resolution visible-channel aerial imaging of crop canopy to precision irrigation management," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 196-205.
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