A Low-Complexity Path-Planning Algorithm for Multiple USVs in Task Planning Based on the Visibility Graph Method

Path planning for multiple unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in task planning is a high-complexity problem. When the number of USVs is <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi>n</mi></semantic...

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Main Authors: Kai Xue, Zhiqin Huang, Ping Wang, Zeyu Xu, Decheng Kong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/3/556
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author Kai Xue
Zhiqin Huang
Ping Wang
Zeyu Xu
Decheng Kong
author_facet Kai Xue
Zhiqin Huang
Ping Wang
Zeyu Xu
Decheng Kong
author_sort Kai Xue
collection DOAJ
description Path planning for multiple unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in task planning is a high-complexity problem. When the number of USVs is <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi>n</mi></semantics></math></inline-formula>, the computational complexity is usually as high as <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>O</mi><mfenced><mrow><msup><mi>n</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow></mfenced></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, as paths need to be planned from different start points to different target points. In this paper, we propose a low-complexity path-planning algorithm (LCPP) for multiple USVs based on the visibility graph method. First, all paths between the start points, target points, and obstacle vertices are separately planned with the low-complexity <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>O</mi><mfenced><mi>n</mi></mfenced></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>. After that, the Dijkstra algorithm is employed to find the shortest path from each start point to all target points, also with the low-complexity <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>O</mi><mfenced><mi>n</mi></mfenced></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>. To enhance the safety of each USV traveling along the edge of obstacles, the parameters of the adaptive line-of-sight (ALOS) guidance algorithm are optimized using the simulated annealing algorithm. The simulation results show that this algorithm outperforms others in calculation time when dealing with a large number of USVs.
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series Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
spelling doaj-art-b276fb9e10c343f7b7ca62b649bd7f302025-08-20T02:42:34ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122025-03-0113355610.3390/jmse13030556A Low-Complexity Path-Planning Algorithm for Multiple USVs in Task Planning Based on the Visibility Graph MethodKai Xue0Zhiqin Huang1Ping Wang2Zeyu Xu3Decheng Kong4College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, ChinaPath planning for multiple unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in task planning is a high-complexity problem. When the number of USVs is <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi>n</mi></semantics></math></inline-formula>, the computational complexity is usually as high as <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>O</mi><mfenced><mrow><msup><mi>n</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow></mfenced></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, as paths need to be planned from different start points to different target points. In this paper, we propose a low-complexity path-planning algorithm (LCPP) for multiple USVs based on the visibility graph method. First, all paths between the start points, target points, and obstacle vertices are separately planned with the low-complexity <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>O</mi><mfenced><mi>n</mi></mfenced></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>. After that, the Dijkstra algorithm is employed to find the shortest path from each start point to all target points, also with the low-complexity <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>O</mi><mfenced><mi>n</mi></mfenced></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>. To enhance the safety of each USV traveling along the edge of obstacles, the parameters of the adaptive line-of-sight (ALOS) guidance algorithm are optimized using the simulated annealing algorithm. The simulation results show that this algorithm outperforms others in calculation time when dealing with a large number of USVs.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/3/556path planninglow complexityunmanned surface vehiclevisibility graphline of sight
spellingShingle Kai Xue
Zhiqin Huang
Ping Wang
Zeyu Xu
Decheng Kong
A Low-Complexity Path-Planning Algorithm for Multiple USVs in Task Planning Based on the Visibility Graph Method
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
path planning
low complexity
unmanned surface vehicle
visibility graph
line of sight
title A Low-Complexity Path-Planning Algorithm for Multiple USVs in Task Planning Based on the Visibility Graph Method
title_full A Low-Complexity Path-Planning Algorithm for Multiple USVs in Task Planning Based on the Visibility Graph Method
title_fullStr A Low-Complexity Path-Planning Algorithm for Multiple USVs in Task Planning Based on the Visibility Graph Method
title_full_unstemmed A Low-Complexity Path-Planning Algorithm for Multiple USVs in Task Planning Based on the Visibility Graph Method
title_short A Low-Complexity Path-Planning Algorithm for Multiple USVs in Task Planning Based on the Visibility Graph Method
title_sort low complexity path planning algorithm for multiple usvs in task planning based on the visibility graph method
topic path planning
low complexity
unmanned surface vehicle
visibility graph
line of sight
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/3/556
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