1,260 research outputs found
Enabling Disaster Resilient 4G Mobile Communication Networks
The 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the cellular technology expected to
outperform the previous generations and to some extent revolutionize the
experience of the users by taking advantage of the most advanced radio access
techniques (i.e. OFDMA, SC-FDMA, MIMO). However, the strong dependencies
between user equipments (UEs), base stations (eNBs) and the Evolved Packet Core
(EPC) limit the flexibility, manageability and resiliency in such networks. In
case the communication links between UEs-eNB or eNB-EPC are disrupted, UEs are
in fact unable to communicate. In this article, we reshape the 4G mobile
network to move towards more virtual and distributed architectures for
improving disaster resilience, drastically reducing the dependency between UEs,
eNBs and EPC. The contribution of this work is twofold. We firstly present the
Flexible Management Entity (FME), a distributed entity which leverages on
virtualized EPC functionalities in 4G cellular systems. Second, we introduce a
simple and novel device-todevice (D2D) communication scheme allowing the UEs in
physical proximity to communicate directly without resorting to the
coordination with an eNB.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Communications Magazin
Aerial base stations with opportunistic links for next generation emergency communications
Rapidly deployable and reliable mission-critical communication networks are fundamental requirements to guarantee the successful operations of public safety officers during disaster recovery and crisis management preparedness. The ABSOLUTE project focused on designing, prototyping, and demonstrating a high-capacity IP mobile data network with low latency and large coverage suitable for many forms of multimedia delivery including public safety scenarios. The ABSOLUTE project combines aerial, terrestrial, and satellites communication networks for providing a robust standalone system able to deliver resilience communication systems. This article focuses on describing the main outcomes of the ABSOLUTE project in terms of network and system architecture, regulations, and implementation of aerial base stations, portable land mobile units, satellite backhauling, S-MIM satellite messaging, and multimode user equipments
Mission-Critical Communications from LMR to 5G: a Technology Assessment approach for Smart City scenarios
Radiocommunication networks are one of the main support tools of agencies that carry out
actions in Public Protection & Disaster Relief (PPDR), and it is necessary to update these
communications technologies from narrowband to broadband and integrated to information
technologies to have an effective action before society. Understanding that this problem
includes, besides the technical aspects, issues related to the social context to which these
systems are inserted, this study aims to construct scenarios, using several sources of
information, that helps the managers of the PPDR agencies in the technological decisionmaking
process of the Digital Transformation of Mission-Critical Communication considering
Smart City scenarios, guided by the methods and approaches of Technological Assessment
(TA).As redes de radiocomunicações são uma das principais ferramentas de apoio dos órgãos que
realizam ações de Proteção Pública e Socorro em desastres, sendo necessário atualizar essas
tecnologias de comunicação de banda estreita para banda larga, e integra- las às tecnologias
de informação, para se ter uma atuação efetiva perante a sociedade . Entendendo que esse
problema inclui, além dos aspectos técnicos, questões relacionadas ao contexto social ao qual
esses sistemas estão inseridos, este estudo tem por objetivo a construção de cenários,
utilizando diversas fontes de informação que auxiliem os gestores destas agências na tomada
de decisão tecnológica que envolve a transformação digital da Comunicação de Missão Crítica
considerando cenários de Cidades Inteligentes, guiado pelos métodos e abordagens de
Avaliação Tecnológica (TA)
Architecture design for disaster resilient management network using D2D technology
Huge damages from natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, landslide, tsunamis, have been reported in recent years, claiming many lives, rendering millions homeless and causing huge financial losses worldwide. The lack of effective communication between the public rescue/safety agencies, rescue teams, first responders and trapped survivors/victims makes the situation even worse. Factors like dysfunctional communication networks, limited communications capacity, limited resources/services, data transformation and effective evaluation, energy, and power deficiency cause unnecessary hindrance in rescue and recovery services during a disaster. The new wireless communication technologies are needed to enhance life-saving capabilities and rescue services. In general, in order to improve societal resilience towards natural catastrophes and develop effective communication infrastructure, innovative approaches need to be initiated to provide improved quality, better connectivity in the events of natural and human disasters.
In this thesis, a disaster resilient network architecture is proposed and analysed using multi-hop communications, clustering, energy harvesting, throughput optimization, reliability enhancement, adaptive selection, and low latency communications. It also examines the importance of mode selection, power management, frequency and time resource allocation to realize the promises of Long-term Evolution (LTE) Device to Device (D2D) communication. In particular, to support resilient and energy efficient communication in disaster-affected areas.
This research is examined by thorough and vigorous simulations and validated through mathematical modelling. Overall, the impact of this research is twofold: i) it provides new technologies for effective inter- and intra-agency coordination system during a disaster event by establishing a stronger and resilient communication; and ii) It offers a potential solution for stakeholders such as governments, rescue teams, and general public with new informed information on how to establish effective policies to cope with challenges before, during and after the disaster events
SDN/NFV-enabled satellite communications networks: opportunities, scenarios and challenges
In the context of next generation 5G networks, the satellite industry is clearly committed to revisit and revamp the role of satellite communications. As major drivers in the evolution of (terrestrial) fixed and mobile networks, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) technologies are also being positioned as central technology enablers towards improved and more flexible integration of satellite and terrestrial segments, providing satellite network further service innovation and business agility by advanced network resources management techniques. Through the analysis of scenarios and use cases, this paper provides a description of the benefits that SDN/NFV technologies can bring into satellite communications towards 5G. Three scenarios are presented and analysed to delineate different potential improvement areas pursued through the introduction of SDN/NFV technologies in the satellite ground segment domain. Within each scenario, a number of use cases are developed to gain further insight into specific capabilities and to identify the technical challenges stemming from them.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
IEEE Access special section editorial: Mission critical public-safety communications: architectures, enabling technologies, and future applications
Disaster management organizations such as fire brigades, rescue teams, and emergency medical service providers have a high priority demand to communicate with each other and with the victims by using mission-critical voice and data communications [item 1) in the Appendix]. In recent years, public safety agencies and organizations have started planning to evolve their existing land mobile radio system (LMRS) with long-term evolution (LTE)-based public safety solutions which provides broadband, ubiquitous, and mission-critical voice and data services. LTE provides high bandwidth and low latency services to the customers using internet protocol-based LTE network. Since mission critical communication services have different demands and priorities for dynamically varying situations for disaster-hit areas, the architecture and the communication technologies of the existing LTE networks need to be upgraded with a system that has the capability to respond efficiently and in a timely manner during critical situations
Envisioning the Future Role of 3D Wireless Networks in Preventing and Managing Disasters and Emergency Situations
In an era marked by unprecedented climatic upheavals and evolving urban
landscapes, the role of advanced communication networks in disaster prevention
and management is becoming increasingly critical. This paper explores the
transformative potential of 3D wireless networks, an innovative amalgamation of
terrestrial, aerial, and satellite technologies, in enhancing disaster response
mechanisms. We delve into a myriad of use cases, ranging from large facility
evacuations to wildfire management, underscoring the versatility of these
networks in ensuring timely communication, real-time situational awareness, and
efficient resource allocation during crises. We also present an overview of
cutting-edge prototypes, highlighting the practical feasibility and operational
efficacy of 3D wireless networks in real-world scenarios. Simultaneously, we
acknowledge the challenges posed by aspects such as cybersecurity, cross-border
coordination, and physical layer technological hurdles, and propose future
directions for research and development in this domain
Planning UAV Activities for Efficient User Coverage in Disaster Areas
Climate changes brought about by global warming as well as man-made
environmental changes are often the cause of sever natural disasters. ICT,
which is itself responsible for global warming due to its high carbon
footprint, can play a role in alleviating the consequences of such hazards by
providing reliable, resilient means of communication during a disaster crisis.
In this paper, we explore the provision of wireless coverage through UAVs
(Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to complement, or replace, the traditional
communication infrastructure. The use of UAVs is indeed crucial in emergency
scenarios, as they allow for the quick and easy deployment of micro and pico
cellular base stations where needed. We characterize the movements of UAVs and
define an optimization problem to determine the best UAV coverage that
maximizes the user throughput, while maintaining fairness across the different
parts of the geographical area that has been affected by the disaster. To
evaluate our strategy, we simulate a flooding in San Francisco and the car
traffic resulting from people seeking safety on higher ground
- …