📋 Planned Article Outline
- Introduction: What is a FANET and Why Does it Differ from UAVs & MANETs?Taxonomy, use cases
- FANET Network Topology: Fully Distributed MeshNode roles, mobility model
- Routing in FANETs: AODV Protocol WalkthroughRoute discovery, RREQ/RREP, path maintenance
- Path Planning: A* Algorithm for Collision AvoidanceHeuristic function, obstacle maps
- Link Budget Analysis: Drone-to-Drone CommunicationFree-space path loss, antenna gain, SNR
- MAC Layer Challenges in High-Mobility FANETsCSMA/CA limitations, TDMA alternatives
- Security Considerations: Spoofing & JammingAttack vectors, mitigation
- Python Simulation: AODV Route Discovery in a 10-Node SwarmFull code walkthrough
- Real-World Applications: SAR, Agriculture, SurveillanceCase studies
- Summary & Key Takeaways
Key Concepts This Article Will Cover
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FANET (Flying Ad-hoc Network) — A highly dynamic MANET where all nodes are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. High mobility and 3D topology make FANETs uniquely challenging compared to ground MANETs.
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AODV (Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector) — A reactive routing protocol that discovers routes only when needed. Nodes flood RREQ packets, and the destination responds with a RREP establishing a path.
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A* Path Planning — Heuristic search algorithm that finds the optimal collision-free path for each drone in a shared 3D airspace using a cost function f(n) = g(n) + h(n).
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Why this matters: Understanding FANETs is foundational for anyone working on autonomous drone systems, IoT edge deployments, or military communication networks.