A Review of Edge Computing Technology for Unmanned Swarms

doi:10.12382/bgxb.2022.1209

Abstract

Abstract:

In unmanned swarm operations in the future intelligent warfare, the cloud-edge-end supply of computing power will be an important mode, and its edge computing technology, as the key enabling technology, can solve the problems of poor real-time performance, limited bandwidth, data security and so on. In this paper, we first expound on the concept and technical connotation of edge computing against the background of unmanned swarms. Secondly, we propose a cloud-edge-end distributed system framework for the tactical edge to realize information interconnection, local and global situational awareness on the battlefield, swarm intelligent decision making and cooperative control of unmanned swarm operations. Then, the key technologies involved in the framework are reviewed, including edge computing framework, edge-cloud collaboration, computing offloading, edge command and control, etc. Finally, the outlooks and summary of the unmanned swarm operations with the edge computing technology are presented, providing some reference for edge tactics in the future intelligent warfare.

Key words: unmanned swarms, edge computing, edge intelligence, cloud-edge-end collaboration, command and control

CLC Number:

TJ301

XUE Jianqiang, SHI Yanjun, LI Bo. A Review of Edge Computing Technology for Unmanned Swarms[J]. Acta Armamentarii, 2023, 44(9): 2546-2555.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig.1 U.S. military cloud computing classification[5]

Fig.2 Overall architecture of FAN-MEC[10]

Fig.3 Cloud-edge-end distributed system architecture for tactical edge

Fig.4 Edge architecture reference framework[15]

Fig.5 Schematic diagram of the basic procedure for centralized command and control mode[36]

Fig.6 Structural diagram of access control scheme[36]

References 55

[1]	陈霄, 刘巍, 夏淋淋, 等. 边缘计算军事应用需求及作战运用构想[J]. 火力与指挥控制, 2021, 46(8):1-4.
	CHEN X, LIU W, XIA L L, et al. Military application requirements and operational conception of edge computing[J]. Fire Control & Command Control, 2021, 46(8): 1-4. (in Chinese)
[2]	赵国宏. 体系中心战:未来战争的顶层作战概念[J]. 指挥与控制学报, 2021, 7(3): 225-240.
	ZHAO G H. System centric warfare:the top-level operational concept of future warfare[J]. Journal of Command and Control, 2021, 7(3):225-240. (in Chinese)
[3]	王勇, 王聘, 李关防, 等. 海上无人集群有人/无人协同控制架构[J]. 指挥控制与仿真, 2022, 44(5): 1-5. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-3819.2022.05.001
	WANG Y, WANG P, LI G F, et al. Manned/unmanned cooperative control architecture for offshore unmanned cluster[J]. Command, Cotrol and Simulation, 2022, 44(5):1-5. (in Chinese)
[4]	臧义华, 李小娟. 基于区块链的无人集群作战信息共享架构[J]. 指挥控制与仿真, 2020, 42(4):19-22. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-3819.2020.04.004
	ZANG Y H, LI X J. Unmanned cluster combat information sharing architecture based on blockchain[J]. Command, Control and Simulation, 2020, 42(4): 19-22. (in Chinese)
[5]	陆晓安. 无人机集群作战任务规划与智能控制技术研究[D]. 南京: 南京航空航天大学, 2021.
	LU X A. Research on combat mission planning and intelligent control technology of UAV cluster[D]. Nanjing: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2021. (in Chinese)
[6]	孙立健, 周鋆, 朱承, 等. 马赛克战兵力设计下的边缘指挥与控制组织结构[J]. 指挥与控制学报, 2022, 8(2): 141-149.
	SUN L J, ZHOU Y, ZHU C, et al. Edge command and control organization structure based on mosaic combat force design[J]. Journal of Command and Control, 2022, 8(2):141-149. (in Chinese)
[7]	严红, 徐慧. 战术边缘云计算服务架构及关键技术[J]. 指挥信息系统与技术, 2021, 12(4): 34-41,69.
	YAN H, XU H. Tactical edge cloud computing service architecture and key technologies[J]. Command Information System and Technology 2021, 12(4): 34-41,69. (in Chinese)
[8]	陈霄, 王潋, 刘巍, 等. 美军机动边缘信息服务能力现状概述[J]. 电光与控制, 2021, 28(7): 62-67.
	CHEN X, WANG L, LIU W, et al. Overview of the status quo of U.S. military mobile edge information service capability[J]. Electronics Optics and Control, 2021, 28(7): 62-67. (in Chinese)
[9]	张洪瑞, 王青海. 基于边缘计算的装备感知同步系统研究与设计[J]. 信息技术与信息化, 2020(11):105-107.
	ZHANG H R, WANG Q H. Research and design of equipment sensing synchronization system based on edge computing[J]. Information Technology and Informatization, 2020(11): 105-107. (in Chinese)
[10]	HUANG W H, GUO H Z, LIU J J. Task offloading in UAV swarm-based edge computing: grouping and role division[C]//Proceedings of the 2021 IEEE Global Communications Conference. Madrid, Spain:IEEE, 2021:1-6.
[11]	CHEN J R, ZHANG Q Y, FENG Z Y. Timeliness analysis of service-driven collaborative mobile edge computing in UAV swarm[C]//Proceedings of the 2019 IEEE Globecom Workshops. Waikoloa, HI, US:IEEE, 2019:1-6.
[12]	YU S C, FAN Y, ZHENG H J, et al. Research on battlefield-oriented Flight ad hoc network based on mobile edge computing[C]//Proceedings of the 2022 IEEE 2nd International Conference on Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.Xiamen, China:IEEE, 2022:183-188.
[13]	代兴宇, 廖飞, 陈捷. 边缘计算安全防护体系研究[J]. 通信技术, 2020, 53(1): 201-209.
	DAI X Y, LIAO F, CHEN J. Research on security protection system of edge computing[J]. Communications Technology, 2020, 53(1):201-209. (in Chinese)
[14]	WANG Y T, GUO H Z, LIU J J. Cooperative task offloading in UAV swarm-based edge computing[C]//Proceedings of the 2021 IEEE Global Communications Conference.Madrid,Spain:IEEE, 2021:1-6.
[15]	边缘计算产业联盟. 边缘计算参考架构2.0(上)[J]. 自动化博览, 2018(1): 60-62.
	Alliance of Industrial Internet. Edge computing reference architecture 2.0(Part I)[J]. Automation Panorama, 2018(1): 60-62. (in Chinese)
[16]	RAHBARI D, MAHTAB ALAM M, LE MOULLEC Y, et al. Edge-to-fog collaborative computing in a swarm of drones[C]//Proceedings of the Advances in Model and Data Engineering in the Digitalization Era. Cham, Germany:Springer, 2021:78-87.
[17]	赵航, 刘胜, 罗坤, 等. 面向KubeEdge边缘计算系统应用研究[J]. 智能科学与技术学报, 2022, 4(1): 118-128. doi: 10.11959/j.issn.2096-6652.202201
	ZHAO H, LIU S, LUO K, et al. Application research of KubeEdge edge computing system[J]. Chinese Journal of Intelligent Science and Technology, 2022, 4(1):118-128. (in Chinese)
[18]	YANG W Y, LIU W, WEI X S, et al. EdgeKeeper: a trusted edge computing framework for ubiquitous power Internet of things[J]. Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering, 2021, 22(3): 374-400.
[19]	ASIM M, ABD EL-LATIF A A.Intelligent computational methods for multi-unmanned aerial vehicle-enabled autonomous mobile edge computing systems[J]. ISA Transactions, 2023, 132:5-15. doi: 10.1016/j.isatra.2021.11.021 URL
[20]	王睿, 齐建鹏, 陈亮, 等. 面向边缘智能的边缘协同推理综述[J]. 计算机研究与发展, 2023, 60(2): 398-414.
	WANG R, QI J P, CHEN L, et al. Overview of edge collaborative reasoning for edge intelligence[J]. Computer Research and Development, 2023: 60(2):398-414. (in Chinese)
[21]	YU T Q, WANG X B, SHAMI A. UAV-enabled spatial data sampling in large-scale IoT systems using denoising autoencoder neural network[J]. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 2019, 6(2): 1856-1865. doi: 10.1109/JIoT.6488907 URL
[22]	刘子杰, 王凯, 王亚刚, 等. 工业互联网端边云协同数据同步方案设计与实现[J]. 计算机应用研究, 2022, 39(3): 821-825.
	LIU Z J, WANG K, WANG Y G, et al. Design and implementation of edgecloud collaborative data synchronization scheme for industrial Internet[J]. Application Research of Computer, 2022, 39(3): 821-825. (in Chinese)
[23]	张凯歌, 卢志刚, 聂天常, 等. 面向无人装备的智能边缘计算软技术分析[J/OL]. 兵工学报, 2023:1-12.DOI:10.12382/bgxb.2022.1166.
	ZHANG K G, LU Z G, NIE T C, et al. Analysis of intelligent edge computing soft-technology for unmanned Systems. Acta Armamentarii, 2023:1-12. 2023:1-12.DOI:10.12382/bgxb.2022.1166. (in Chinese)
[24]	韩鑫鑫. 边云协同下的调度优化问题研究[D]. 深圳: 中国科学院大学(中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院), 2022.
	HAN X X. Research on scheduling optimization based on edge-cloud collaboration[D]. Shenzhen: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology,Chinese Academy of Sciences), 2022. (in Chinese)
[25]	肖迁, 李天翔, 贾宏杰, 等. 面向区域能源互联网的边云协同架构及其优化策略研究[J]. 中国电机工程学报, 2023, 43(6): 2248-2263.
	XIAO Q, LI T X, JIA H J, et al. Research on edgecloud collaborative architecture and its optimization strategy for regional energy Internet[J]. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2023, 43(6):2248-2263. (in Chinese)
[26]	CHEN X F, CHEN T, ZHAO Z, et al. Resource awareness in unmanned aerial vehicle-assisted mobile-edge computing systems[C]//Proceedings of the 2020 IEEE 91st Vehicular Technology Conference. Antwerp, Belgium: IEEE, 2020:1-6.
[27]	LI X J, CHEN T X, YUAN D, et al. A novel graph-based computation offloading strategy for workflow applications in mobile edge computing[J]. IEEE Transactions on Services Computing, 2022, 16(2): 845-857. doi: 10.1109/TSC.2022.3180067 URL
[28]	WANG H B, XU H L, HUANG H, et al. Robust task offloading in dynamic edge computing[J]. IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, 2021, 22(1): 500-514. doi: 10.1109/TMC.2021.3068748 URL
[29]	王万斌. 面向战术智能终端任务的移动边缘计算卸载策略研究[D]. 成都: 电子科技大学, 2022.
	WANG W B. Research on mobile edge computing offloading strategy for tactical intelligent terminal task[D]. Chengdu: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 2022. (in Chinese)
[30]	NG WEI C, LIM WEI Y B, XIONG Z, et al. Stochastic coded offloading scheme for unmanned aerial vehicle-assisted edge computing[J]. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 2022: 10(7): 5626-5643. doi: 10.1109/JIOT.2022.3150472 URL
[31]	KOBARI H, DU Z Y, WU C, et al. A reinforcement learning based edge cloud collaboration[C]//Proceedings of the 2021 International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Management. Hangzhou,China:IEEE, 2021:26-29.
[32]	CHUANG I H, SUN R C, TSAI H J, et al. A dynamic multi-resource management for edge computing[C]//Proceedings of the 2019 European Conference on Networks and Communications. Valencia, Spain: IEEE, 2019:379-383.
[33]	WANG W F, LI J Z. An edge computing unloading algorithm for IIoT-based mobile and Internet of vehicles (IoV) applications[J]. IETE Journal of Research, 2022:1-12.DOI:10.1080/03772063.2022.2048713.
[34]	张志华, 王凡. 第五代指挥信息系统总体及其智能化技术设想[J]. 指挥控制与仿真, 2021, 43(5): 1-7. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-3819.2021.05.001
	ZHANG Z H, WANG F. General design of the fifth generation command information system and its intelligent technology[J]. Command, Control and Simulation, 2021, 43(5): 1-7. (in Chinese)
[35]	阳东升, 张维明. 边缘崛起:边缘C2背景,概念与模式机理分析[J]. 指挥与控制学报, 2020, 6(2):113-122.
	YANG D S, ZHANG W M. Rise of edge: background, concept and model mechanism analysis of edge C2[J]. Journal of Command and Control, 2020, 6(2): 113-122. (in Chinese)
[36]	张维明, 黄松平, 朱承, 等. 指挥控制的新范式:边缘指挥控制[J]. 指挥信息系统与技术, 2021, 12(1): 1-7.
	ZHANG W M, HUANG S P, ZHU C, et al. A new paradigm of command and control: edge command and control[J]. Command Information System and Technology, 2021, 12(1): 1-7. (in Chinese)
[37]	许莺, 姜志平. 基于边缘计算的指挥控制系统信息传输优化模型与设计[J]. 指挥信息系统与技术, 2021, 12(4): 47-51.
	XU Y, JIANG Z P. Information transmission optimization model and design of command and control system based on edge computing[J]. Command Information System and Technology, 2021, 12(4): 47-51. (in Chinese)
[38]	CHEN X, LI L X, ZHANG W, et al. Command and control system in intelligentized warfare[C]//Pproceedings of the 2021 IEEE Conference on Telecommunications, Optics and Computer Science. Madrid, Spain:IEEE, 2021:951-954.
[39]	郭凯阳, 韩益亮, 吴日铭, 等. 战术环境下基于边缘计算的访问控制方案[J]. 火力与指挥控制, 2022, 47(9): 26-31,36.
	GUO K Y, HAN Y L, WU R M, et al. Access control scheme based on edge computing in tactical environment[J]. Fire Control and Command Control, 2022, 47(9): 26-31,36. (in Chinese)
[40]	XU H T, HUANG W T, ZHOU Y H, et al. Edge computing resource allocation for unmanned aerial vehicle assisted mobile network with Blockchain applications[J]. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 2021, 20(5): 3107-3121. doi: 10.1109/TWC.2020.3047496 URL
[41]	LI C L, LIANG S Y, ZHANG J, et al. Blockchain-based data trading in edge-cloud computing environment[J]. Information Processing & Management, 2022, 59(1):102786. doi: 10.1016/j.ipm.2021.102786 URL
[42]	IBRAHIM M H. Octopus:an edge-fog mutual authentication scheme[J]. International Journal of Network Security, 2016, 18(6):1089-1101.
[43]	GAWAS M A, PATIL H, GOVEKAR S S. An integrative approach for secure data sharing in vehicular edge computing using Blockchain[J]. Peer-to-Peer Networking and Applications, 2021, 14(5):2840-2857. doi: 10.1007/s12083-021-01107-4
[44]	NI J B, LIN X D, SHEN X S. Toward edge-assisted Internet of things: from security and efficiency perspectives[J]. IEEE Network, 2019, 33(2): 50-57.
[45]	GAO X, LI K Q, CHEN B. Invulnerability measure of a military heterogeneous network based on network structure entropy[J]. IEEE Access, 2017, 6: 6700-6708. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2769964 URL
[46]	陈霄, 刘巍, 陈静, 等. 边缘计算环境下的计算卸载策略研究[J]. 火力与指挥控制, 2022, 47(1):7-14,19.
	CHEN X, LIU W, CHEN J, et al. Research on computing offload strategy in edge computing environment[J]. Fire Control & Command Control, 2022, 47(1):7-14,19. (in Chinese)
[47]	WANG X J, NING Z L, GUO S. Multi-agent imitation learning for pervasive edge computing: a decentralized computation offloading algorithm[J]. IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems, 2020, 32(2): 411-425. doi: 10.1109/TPDS.71 URL
[48]	CALLEGARO D, BAIDYA S, RAMACHANDRAN G S, et al. Information autonomy:self-adaptive information management for edge-assisted autonomous UAV systems[C]//Proceedings of the 2019 IEEE Military Communications Conference. Norfolk, VA, US: IEEE, 2019:40-45.
[49]	LI Y F, HUANG H B, ZHANG T Y, et al. Reliability analysis for command-and-control systems based on edge extension diagram and binary decision diagram[J]. Quality and Reliability Engineering, 2022:1-19. DOI: 10.1002/qre.3127.
[50]	LARSSON L, GUSTAFSSON H, KLEIN C, et al. Decentralized kubernetes federation control plane[C]//Pproceedings of the 2020 IEEE/ACM 13th International Conference on Utility and Cloud Computing. Leicester, UK:IEEE, 2020:354-359.
[51]	阮正平, 佘文魁, 李凯, 等. 基于KubeEdge架构的边缘智能设备管理研究[J]. 电力信息与通信技术, 2020, 18(2): 63-68.
	RUAN Z P, SHE W K, LI K, et al Research on edge intelligent device management based on KubeEdge architecture[J]. Electric Power Information and Communication Technology, 2020, 18(2):63-68. (in Chinese)
[52]	刘箴, 吴馨远, 许洁心. 无人机集群作战系统的新发展及趋势分析[J]. 弹箭与制导学报, 2022, 42(6): 32-45.
	LIU Z, WU X Y, XU J X. New development and trend analysis of unmanned aerial vehicle cluster combat system[J]. Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance, 2022, 42(6): 32-45. (in Chinese)
[53]	李鹏举, 毛鹏军, 耿乾, 等. 无人机集群技术研究现状与趋势[J]. 航空兵器, 2020, 27(4): 25-32.
	LI P J, MAO P J, GENG Q, et al. Research status and trend of UAV cluster technology[J]. Aero Weaponry, 2020, 27(4): 25-32. (in Chinese)
[54]	OTTO R P.Small unmanned aircraft systems(SUAS) flight plan:2016— 2036. bridging the gap between tactical and strategic[R]. Washington,D.C., US: Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff,2016.
[55]	牛文龙, 樊铭瑞, 李运, 等. 人机共融的远程态势智能感知系统[J]. 国防科技大学学报, 2021, 43(6):85-94.
	NIU W L, FAN M R, LI Y, et al. Human-machine integrated remote situational intelligent awareness system[J]. Journal of National University of Defense Technology, 2021, 43(6):85-94. (in Chinese)