Dr S Mohamed, Dr A Shahrabi, Dr J Riley
Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
SCEBE-19-022
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will play a more significant role in our daily life in the future. This is evident by the recently released policies for utilising UAVs in various countries to regulate the rapidly increasing demands for the use of UAVs in many commercial applications.In addition to the commercial use of UAVs, there exist some other applications which have already been utilising UAVs. This includes military, rescue operations and surveillance applications.
Networked UAVs have recently attracted much attention. Despite many promising opportunities in this area, a number of key issues must be properly investigated and addressed to facilitate the deployment of networked UAVs, the most notable of which is perhaps how to provide the maximum coverage with the minimum energy consumption and while preserving the nodes connectivity. Due to the required flexibility and the high mobility of nodes in the network, a centralised approach is not usually of interest per se. Alternatively, a viable solution should be based on a leaderless set of UAVs which are cooperatively performing a common task following a distributed motion coordinated algorithm.
Aims
In this project, we consider a network of UAVs where each UAV is equipped with an on-board communication module to provide fast and reliable connectivity between all nodes in the network. Taking into consideration the various types of coverages, the aim of the study is to provide the maximum coverage by the number of available UAVs in the network while ensuring collision-free and seamless operations of UAVs in the conventional air traffic. We propose strategies and a suit of efficient decentralised algorithms for the requested types of coverage. Such a goal is potentially applicable to several scenarios; from conditional monitoring of inaccessible or dangerous areas (such as wildfire and volcano), to target detection and tracking in an unknown area or supporting emergency crew active in a disastrous area.
Specifications
The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following:
Capability of developing software using one of the currently popular programming languages
Experience of working with one of the network simulating tools
Basic knowledge of calculus and algebra
Additional application requirements: candidates are requested to submit a more detailed research proposal (of a maximum of 2000
words) on the project area as part of their application.
Research Strategy and Research Profile
Glasgow Caledonian University’s research is framed around the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals, We address the Goals via three societal challenge areas of Inclusive
Societies, Healthy Lives and Sustainable Environments. This project is part of the research
activity of the following Research Groups:
- Cyber Security, Networking and Communications (CNSC)
How to Apply
Applicants will normally hold a UK honours degree 2:1 (or equivalent); or a Masters degree in a subject relevant to the research project. Equivalent professional qualifications and any appropriate research experience may be considered. A minimum English language level of IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.0 is required.
Candidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisors for the project before applying. Applicants should complete the online GCU Research Application Form, stating the Project Title and Reference Number (listed above).
Please also attach to the online application, copies of academic qualifications (including IELTS if required), 2 references and any other relevant documentation.
Please send any enquiries regarding your application to: [Email Address Removed]
Applicants shortlisted for the PhD project will be contacted for an interview.
For more information on How to apply and the online application form please go to
https://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/postgraduateresearchstudy/applicationprocess/
Dr Salma Mohamed – [Email Address Removed]