Markov Decision Process-based Potential Field Technique for UAV Planning

Abstract

This study proposes a methodology for mission/path planning of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using an artificial potential field with the Markov Decision Process (MDP). The planning problem is formulated as an MDP. A low-resolution solution of the MDP is obtained and used to define an artificial potential field, which provides a continuous UAV mission plan. A numerical case study is conducted to demonstrate the validity of the proposed technique.