Description du projet
ICT for Environmental Risk Management
In case of emergency, break out the satellites
European researchers have developed an emergency communications system capable of establishing a basic mobile phone network in hours.
The system will help emergency services communicate with each other and respond faster in critical situations, such as natural or industrial disasters.
When disaster strikes, communications are key to an effective response. Yet often communications systems are first to go down in emergencies. Forest fires may consume cell towers, earthquakes uproot landlines, industrial explosions wreck networks and hurricanes level everything.
Enter the WISECOM project, which developed a flexible, robust and comprehensive communications system to help services respond to disasters.
The system integrates several terrestrial mobile radio networks – such as GSM, 3G, and wireless Ethernet – with existing satellite systems, using lightweight and easily deployed technologies. It can also provide location-based services, an enormous benefit during rescue operations. These services can track rescue teams as they operate in the field, for example.
Demanding constraints
Creating the system was a tough task. The basic wish list for a rapidly deployable mobile network with satellite uplink is daunting.
WISECOM’s researchers also developed and tested an instantly deployable, suitcase-sized base station to provide GSM coverage locally and a global connection via satellite. The weight of this base station is just 5kg. The system is designed for use over the medium term, while emergency services get organised.
WISECOM also developed the system for use on a larger, high-capacity base station for connection to a terrestrial backbone, the central linking spine of a telecommunications network. While the instant solution provides coverage during the initial emergency response, the high-capacity version provides larger communications coverage during recovery operations.
Creating wireless data networks
However, establishing phone networks is only part of the equation. WISECOM’s researchers also developed systems capable of deploying wireless networks for data, which are essential in allowing users to quickly update and disseminate rapidly changing information during an emergency situation.
For example, during a forest fire, the fire front may change rapidly in response to local wind conditions. Wireless networks allow coordinating and rescue teams to keep track of the front and respond appropriately.
The team developed a service that provides wireless Ethernet access, suitable for internet access over hundreds of metres. They even explored using WiMax services. WiMax is an emerging standard that enables wireless internet connections over kilometres rather than metres.
The system could also enable the use of telemedicine, allowing emergency services to consult doctors scattered around the world. Doctors can use the service to help triage disaster victims, and provide advice and support to onsite medical teams.
How it works
The system combines GSM and wireless base stations with the Digital Video Broadcast, Return Channel via Satellite (DVB, RCB) standard. DVB, RCB is a satellite transmission standard that provides backhauling, or connection between nodes in the network, such as telephone exchanges or base stations.
The technologies developed by the WISECOM team could dramatically improve emergency response and disaster recovery. In case of emergencies, users would simply turn to the satellites.
The proposal will study, develop, and validate by life trials candidate rapidly deployable lightweight communications infrastructures for emergency conditions.The infrastructures will integrate several terrestrial mobile radio networks - comprising GSM, UMTS, WiFi, and optionally WIMAX and TETRA - over satellite systems, both lightweight and rapidly deployable, and thus suitable for public safety communication. Satellite systems intrinsically present very good characteristics for a rapid deployment of a telecommunication infrastructure when and where a terrestrial infrastructure is not available (e.g. after a natural or industrial hazard). The connection to the public networks (PSTN, ISDN, Internet) is directly provided at the satellite gateway, depending on the offered service. The WISECOM project will thus use INMARSAT BGAN and DVB-RCS, one for worldwide basic services, the other for larger bandwidth support.The targeted infrastructure will cover bi-directional communication needs for voice and data, will be scalable, covering the needs for a few persons to larger groups, and should be easy to carry by a person, ideally as a carry-on cargo on planes. The infrastructure should cover the immediate needs in the first hours and days following an emergency. Furthermore, the system will integrate location-based services for emergency scenarios. A secondary objective is to study and develop an easily deployable infrastructure meant for medium to longer term needs, useful during a recovery and rebuilding phase following an emergency. The proposal will build on the experience of the partners in past EU projects such as WirelessCabin and TWISTER dealing in particularly with the integration of satellite communication systems and of terrestrial wireless communication networks.The infrastructures allow the integration of alert systems, communication to and from the citizen, and rapidly deployable emergency telecommunication systems.
Champ scientifique
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternet
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologymobile radio
Appel à propositions
FP6-2005-IST-5
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Régime de financement
STREP - Specific Targeted Research ProjectCoordinateur
51147 Koln
Allemagne