Use of artificial potential fields for UAV guidance and optimization of WLAN communications

Wireless local area networks (WLAN) are quickly becoming an important part of regional military operations. The use of standardized Internet protocols enables a wide variety of vehicles, sensors and personnel to interoperate more effectively. For autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), they permit a potentially great improvement to distribute outputs from data intensive sensors like sonar and video to observers. For a fleet of AUVs tasked with area underwater search and survey, WLANs can facilitate situational awareness, re-tasking and expedience.