Robust Routing in Highly Dynamic FANETs via Predictive Multi-Metric Design

High node mobility in Flying Ad-Hoc Networks (FANETs) poses significant challenges to routing stability and efficiency. To address this, the Local Time-Distance-Velocity (Local TDV) protocol was introduced as a predictive routing scheme designed to maintain robust communication in highly dynamic environments. Local TDV integrated a multi-metric cost function that combines link latency with predictive kinematic indicators, including relative velocity, directional alignment, and projected future proximity. A custom MATLAB simulation framework was used to benchmark Local TDV against both an idealized global-state reactive protocol and a static baseline. Results demonstrated that Local TDV improves path stability by nearly 80 % in high-velocity scenarios while avoiding latency penalties, underscoring the effectiveness of predictive, mobility-aware routing for next-generation FANETs.