Simulation Tools, Environments and Frameworks for UAV Systems Performance Analysis

Abstract

Nowadays, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are widely deployed in many contexts (civilian and military). Real experiments using UAVs are costly; therefore, the performances of UAVs systems should be analyzed before their deployments. Accordingly, researchers and software engineers developed several simulations tools, environments and frameworks for UAV systems evaluation. In this context, this study highlights and identifies the most suitable simulators for UAVs flights and UAVs managements. This paper details the requirements, the goals, the strengths and the weakness of each studied tools. This investigation helps researchers to identify and to select the adequate UAVs performances analysis tools that satisfy their needs.