Abstract
Reliable long-range communication is critical for the teleoperation and autonomous operation of unmanned surface vessels (USVs). To the degree that a USV is operating via a virtual tether, onboard software must be able to reliably determine if the connection to the control station is intact. Frequently, this is done by establishing a control station response timeout, which must be long enough to avoid false disconnects but short enough to maintain responsive control and data transfer. Setting such timeouts is often done in an ad-hoc manner. In this paper, we revise a testing methodology that allows calibrating such communication parameters based on the measured performance of the communications link. Specifically, this study evaluates the performance of Persistent Systems’ MPU5 radios, which utilize a Mobile Ad-hoc Networking (MANET) system, to establish stable connectivity between a USV and a ground station over extended distances. Unlike conventional bandwidth tests, our primary objective is to characterize radio performance under realistic maritime conditions, focusing on determining optimal timeout thresholds to detect connection loss while avoiding unnecessary disruptions. Using a USV and a ground station, both equipped with MPU5 radios, we conducted tests at multiple distance intervals, evaluating network latency, loss of packets and throughput under operational conditions that mirror typical USV usage patterns. The USV is remotely controlled via a handheld table device or operate autonomously while continuously transmitting status updates. Bandwidth performance was analyzed using custom measurement software, iPerf3, and Ping, with varying packet sizes to assess responsiveness and reliability. The insights gained will help refine timeout strategies and improve USV communication resilience for mission-critical applications in defense, transportation, and maritime operations.