Patent Application
20190110172
The instant disclosure relates to mesh networks, and in particular to mesh network systems and methods for use in natural disaster relief.
After a natural disaster, the area affected by the natural disaster likely will experience critical demand for food, water, medical attention and other emergency services. Communications are a critical component of any relief effort for the area affected by the natural disaster. As a result of the natural disaster, vital infrastructure for communication between teams of first responders (e.g., power, cellular telephone, radio, television and Internet infrastructure) likely either will be damaged, completely lost or may never have existed. Communication between the general public and first responders likely will be non-existent, as will communication between family members.
There is a need to provide access to basic communications and data to first responders and to the general public in areas that have been affected by a natural disaster.
Disclosed is a mesh network system and method for use in an area affected by a natural disaster. The system includes a first network node that has Wi-Fi capability and a first Wi-Fi coverage area. The system also includes at least one second network node, coupled to the first network node, with the at least one second network node having Wi-Fi capability and a second Wi-Fi coverage area outside of the first Wi-Fi coverage area. The first network node and the at least one second network node are coupled together via at least one radio transceiver to form a network route within the mesh network. A first communication device located within the area affected by the natural disaster and operably coupled to the first network node communicates with a second communication device located within the area affected by the natural disaster and coupled to the at least one second network node via the network route within the mesh network.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.
In the event of a natural disaster, many problems typically exist for the area affected by the natural disaster. There often is no available food or water, as well as little if any access to medical and other emergency services. With respect to communication capabilities in the affected area, there typically is little or no power, if there was any power to begin with. Also, there likely is severe if not complete damage to some or all phone networks, and radio, television and Internet infrastructure. Therefore, in areas affected by a natural disaster, there are limited communication and coordination options available.
According to an embodiment, possible solutions for communication and coordination capabilities in areas affected by a natural disaster involve the use of one or more mesh networks. A mesh network is a communications network made up of nodes, such as radio nodes, organized in a mesh topology. Each mesh node in the mesh network relays data for the network, and all mesh nodes cooperate in the distribution of data throughout the network. A fully connected mesh network is a mesh network in which each node has connectivity to every other node in the mesh network. A mesh network can be a wireless mesh network (WMN) and/or a wired mesh network.
As shown, the personal devices 14 of members of the general public (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer or other suitable personal device) have an appropriate communication channel 18 with the network node 12. Also, the communication devices 16 of first responders (shown generally as 16) have an appropriate communication channel 22 with the network node 12. Thus, members of the general public and first responders can communicate with each other via the network node 12. Also, depending on the state of the area affected by the natural disaster, the personal devices 14 of members of the general public may be able to communicate directly with one another (and/or with other communities of interest) via appropriate communication channels 24. Similarly, the communication devices 16 of first responders may be able to communicate directly with one another (and/or with other communities of interest) via appropriate communication channels 26. Also, the personal devices 14 of members of the general public may be able to communicate directly with the communication devices 16 of the first responders (and/or with other communities of interest) via appropriate communication channels 28. According to an embodiment, one or more of the communication channels 18, 22, 24, and 28 can include multiple secure channels in the respective communication path.
As shown, one or more personal devices 34 of the general public can communicate with one or more of the network nodes 32 via one or more appropriate communication channels 38. Similarly, one or more communication devices of first responders (shown generally as 36) can communicate with one or more of the network nodes 32 via one or more appropriate communication channels 42. According to an embodiment, each network node 32 is configured with a front facing Wi-Fi access point to allow one or more personal devices 34 of the general public and one or more communication devices 36 of first responders to connect to one or more of the network nodes 32.
Members of the general public and the first responders can communicate with each other via one or more of the network nodes 32. In this manner, the use of the mesh network 40 allows members of the general public and the first responders to communicate with one another via one or more of the network nodes 32, rather than attempting to communicate directly via direct channels 44, which may be unavailable in an area affected by a natural disaster (shown generally as DANGER). Depending on the state of communication channels within the area affected by the natural disaster, direct communication channels between first responders (shown generally as communication channel 46) and/or direct communication channels between members of the general public (shown generally as communication channel 48) may be available (shown generally as SAFE) or may not be available (shown generally as DANGER).
Also, according to an embodiment, the mesh network 40 can have a fully connected mesh network node topology, i.e., each network node 32 is connected to every other network node 32 in the mesh network 40. As such, communications received by any one of the network nodes 32 can be propagated along a path or network route by hopping from one network node to another network node, until the communication reaches its desired destination. Therefore, communications from the personal device 34 of a member of the general public or the communication device 36 of a first responder can reach its destination via a network route along one or more of the network nodes 32. Such network reliability via its network node re-routing capability is crucial in areas affected by a natural disaster, because various or even many locations within an affected area may be without power or even basic communication networks. The use of a fully connected mesh network works to overcome such shortcomings within such affected areas.
One or more transmitter towers 52 (and/or other appropriate infrastructure) located in the SAFE area provide the ability for a sender in the DANGER area to pass SMS (short message service) messages, email messages, or other appropriate information out of the DANGER area to working infrastructure in the SAFE area. The transmitter towers 52 (and/or other appropriate infrastructure) include SMS and email gateways that are capable of forwarding SMS and email messages to recipients that may be in a different geographical region. Likewise, a reply to such messages would pass through or from the transmitter towers 52 (and/or other appropriate infrastructure) located in the SAFE area back into the DANGER area to the sender in the DANGER area.
According to an embodiment, the network nodes 32 typically weigh less than 0.5 pounds each, and typically are not much larger than a pack of playing cards, although other configurations for the network nodes 32 are possible. The relatively light weight and small form factor of each network node 32 allows each network node 32 to be easily carried into an affected area for deployment. Each network node 32 consumes relatively little power (e.g., about 5 watts under load), so each network node 32 can be battery operated or run by solar power.
According to an embodiment, the use of a mesh network in an area affected by a natural disaster provides many advantages. The multiple network nodes of the mesh network provide a relatively small footprint, and provide relatively low power consumption even though the mesh network includes suitable processing and input output (I/O) capabilities. The mesh network serves as a reliable backbone for communication and data access in the affected area. Such a mesh network allows for text messages, possibly email communications, and maybe even voice communications. The communications made possible by the mesh network allows for appropriate inventory and resource management, e.g., where are supplies and in what quantities. The mesh network also allows access to local data, e.g., maps of affected areas and emergency protocols. As discussed hereinabove, the mesh network, via the multiple network nodes, allows communication between first responders, between first responders and the general public, and between members of the general public.
According to an embodiment, the mesh network also may be able to support peer to per applications between communication devices of members of the general public (and first responders).
Also, according to an embodiment, the mesh network is useful as a social media conduit.
As shown, one or more of the network nodes 122 can communicate with one or more personal devices 126 of the general public via one or more appropriate communication channels 128. Similarly, one or more of the network nodes 122 can communicate with one or more communication devices of first responders (shown generally as 132) via one or more appropriate communication channels 134. Therefore, if social media, such as Facebook 136 and/or Twitter 138, is able to communicate with any one or more of the network nodes 122, such social media can be accessed by users (i.e., members of the general public and first responders) and allow such users to communicate with one another.
Also, according to an embodiment, the mesh network can be useful for the dissemination of warning beacons, e.g., in hazardous areas within the general area affected by a natural disaster.
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Alternatively, one or more sensors that are capable of communicating with one or more network nodes 142 can be deployed in a hazardous area within the general area affected by a natural disaster. The network nodes 142 may or may not also be deployed in the hazardous area. The sensors are capable of sending alert information, via one or more network nodes 142, to first responders 156 or other appropriate parties if the sensor detects the presence of a member of the general public approaching or entering the hazardous area.
According to an embodiment, one or more of the mesh networks described hereinabove can be deployed for additional uses. For example, one or more of the mesh networks described hereinabove can be used for ad-hoc surveillance, e.g., in conjunction with security personnel wearing body cameras or carrying smartphone devices or other similar devices. In such application, the mesh network provides secure channels for the security personnel. The mesh network also provides video storage and/or video streaming, as well as other data, such as sensor data and text messages. The mesh network also provides a controlled coverage area for the security personnel. In such application, one or more of the network nodes can have one or more different configurations, e.g., as an access point, as a relay, and/or for surveillance only.
According to an embodiment, one or more of the mesh networks described hereinabove can be used in conjunction with communication technologies other than those described hereinabove. For example, one or more of the mesh networks described hereinabove can be used to support short wave radio communications (i.e., HAM operators), satellite communications, and other suitable communication technologies.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their full scope of equivalents.
