Multi-Role Ground Nodes as Command Relays: Reliability Anchors and Fan-Out Hubs for Routing and RF Processing

We evaluate ground stations as multi-role
reliability anchors in contested RF control planes.
“Ground Station Alpha” (and optionally “Bravo”) with
capabilities={rf_processing, command_relay} act
as low-latency fan-out hubs. Using Poisson command streams
(λ = 0.35 Hz) and dynamic link quality q ∈ [0, 1], we compare
direct control to hub-mediated routing across single and
dual hub configurations. At 20 assets per hub, drop rate
falls from 10.54% (baseline) to 1.69% (1 hub) and 1.94% (2
hubs), while p95 latency improves from 1123 ms to 669 ms.
Dual hubs provide load distribution benefits, particularly for
mobile drone assets. Full reproducibility via make all with
data/ground_relays_metrics.json.