Distributed Task Allocation for a Multi-UAV System with Time Window Constraints

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1.      This paper presents an algorithm as distributed allocation with time windows (DATW), which aims to achieve conflict-free allocation with a minimum average task completion time. The idea is good. It seems some considerations can be taken to account. There are some comments as follows.

2.      The English of the paper should be reviewed. There are some mistakes e.g. “typology”, etc.

3.      A detailed system architecture including all items e.g. devices, tasks, etc. should be added to the paper.

4.      Algorithm 1 needs the initialization of the input and output variables before the first line.

5.      Which libraries in Python have been used to simulate this work?

6.      The conclusion section should be modified to show brief information about the problem, method, improvement, and future direction. At the moment, it mostly focuses on the method which is not a good format for the conclusion. Also, the improvement percentage of this work than others can be added to the conclusion or the abstract section.

7.      Delay or latency in task computation and communication can be added to the system model. Since it is a task allocation policy in UAVs, considering only time parameters are enough? What about the power consumption, throughput, channel estimation, Doppler effect, fading, and reflecting signals?

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

I believe that the article has an important scientific contribution with regard to resource allocation for a complex multitasking problem model for the use of UAVs.

So my suggestion is to Accept the paper in its present form.

Author Response

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Most comments have been addressed except two of them as follows.

1. The authors explained the simulation component in the cover letter. However, they have not added that information to the paper. Thus, a subsection can be added to section 4 about the simulation steps with details.

2. The authors should calculate and write the improvement percentage by some numbers in different parameters. For example, 20% improvement in the response time, etc. It can be added to the abstract or conclusion.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx