Simulating and Evaluating Search Strategies for Highly Accurate Localization Based on Wireless Technologies Using Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

When persons are reported missing, the authorities are under severe time pressure to localize and safeguard them. This is especially the case, if the missing persons' lives might be threatened, e.g. if the night approaches and the outside temperatures are endangering survival over night. However, the localization of the missing persons can be quite challenging in many scenarios such as rough terrain where ground units of the authorities have limited access.
In this paper, we therefore present a new approach with four different strategies for automated Search-And-Rescue (SAR) missions, i.e. the localization of missing persons' mobile devices using unmanned aerial vehicles. The strategies are compatible with multiple wireless technologies, e.g. cellular networks or WiFi. They are then evaluated with extensive simulations to cover a wide range of possible scenarios, including different search area shapes and sizes, missing persons' velocities, and equipment characteristics. The evaluation focuses on the required time to localize the device, the success rate of the SAR mission, and the running costs of the mission. Our results show that the missing person can be found quickly, within 20 to 30 minutes in most scenarios. ... mehrFor slow-moving persons, the time of localization could even be significantly reduced.
Finally, we provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy. This allows to select the best one for a given scenario.