Cooperative communication link mapping and classification

1. A method of cooperative communication link mapping and classification, the method comprising:

receiving location data defining a position of a communication node;

monitoring signal data of a communication link at the communication node with respect to a second communication node;

identifying characteristics of the signal data;

applying a location stamp of the position to the characteristics of the signal data;

classifying the communication link based on the characteristics of the signal data; and

populating a map classifying the communication link at the position indicated by the location stamp, wherein a time stamp is applied for each update of the map.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

comparing the characteristics of the signal data at the position over a period of time; and

classifying the communication link based on a gradient of the characteristics of the signal data at the position over the period of time.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the gradient defines a signal quality improvement, a signal quality reduction, or a signal quality rate of change.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the characteristics include one or more of: a data rate, a bit error rate, a signal strength, a noise level, and a signal-to-noise ratio.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the map further comprises a vector of classifications of the communication link at the position covering a plurality of time stamps.

6. The method of any of claim 1 , wherein the map is a local communication link map and the method further comprises:

receiving one or more communication link maps; and

merging the local communication link map and the one or more received communication link maps to form a communication link accessibility map covering a plurality of communication links and positions.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

tracking signal trends for each of the communication links relative to the positions.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

monitoring signal data of two or more communication links at the communication node with respect to the communication node and two or more communication nodes;

populating the map with classifications of the two or more communication links; and

updating the map based on a change of position of the communication node or a change detected in a characteristic of at least one of the two or more communication links.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication node is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

10. A communication node of a cooperative communication link mapping and classification system, the communication node comprising:

a processor; and

memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the communication node to:

receive location data defining a position of the communication node;

monitor signal data of a communication link at the communication node with respect to a second communication node;

identify characteristics of the signal data;

apply a location stamp of the position to the characteristics of the signal data;

classify the communication link based on the characteristics of the signal data;

populate a map classifying the communication link at the position indicated by the location stamp; and

applying a time stamp to each update of the map.

11. The communication node of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further cause the communication node to:

compare the characteristics of the signal data at the position over a period of time; and

classify the communication link based on a gradient of the characteristics of the signal data at the position over the period of time.

12. The communication node of claim 10 , wherein the map further comprises a vector of classifications of the communication link at the position covering a plurality of time stamps.

13. The communication node of claim 10 , wherein the map is a local communication link map and the instructions further cause the communication node to:

receive one or more communication link maps;

merge the local communication link map and the one or more received communication link maps to form a communication link accessibility map covering a plurality of communication links and positions; and

track signal trends for each of the communication links relative to the positions.

14. The communication node of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further cause the communication node to:

monitor signal data of two or more communication links at the communication node with respect to the communication node and two or more communication nodes;

populate the map with classifications of the two or more communication links; and

update the map based on a change of position of the communication node or a change detected in a characteristic of at least one of the two or more communication links.