Mobilising a communications network
by Geraldine Hinter
When a major disaster strikes, like the recent tsunami, rescue efforts
can be severely hampered in areas where the entire communications network is
destroyed. Establishing an instant emergency communications network to
coordinate search and rescue efforts will soon be possible using a unique
digital wireless network that exploits signal processing techniques
originally developed by researchers at UniSA.
The new Cohda Wireless technology offers low cost high bandwidth communications that enable users to send and receive high quality data, video images and voice communications while on the move, according to Research Professor Alex Grant, Leader of the Coding and Information Theory Research Group at UniSA’s Institute for Telecommunications Research (ITR).
“This is a world first,” Prof Grant said.
There is no other company offering a communications network that is specifically designed to work in a mobile environment at these transmission rates.
“We can create a network by fixing small boxes with antennas to street light poles, bus stops or other structures that require power. We can also place a box in each rescue vehicle, or on buses, trains and trams, so that users can communicate by accessing boxes in the network that link via the internet or other access to wherever needed across the world.
“In the case of a disaster like the Asian tsunami, rescue teams could grab 100 boxes, take them to the affected area, and run them off battery power or generators to produce an instant communications network.
“Public transport services equipped with this wireless technology could provide broadband internet service access for students and other users on buses, trams and trains,” Prof Grant said.
The same mobile broadband technology could also be used by these organisations to automatically locate passenger transport vehicles and for live video security monitoring inside buses, trains and trams.
Like the internet, the Cohda Wireless network builds itself, enabling any number of users to plug into it and use it. Existing technology used by emergency services is generally limited to communicating while stationary or travelling at low speeds. Utilities supplying existing networks require users to pay every time they use them.
With considerable market interest both here and in the United States it is estimated that export sales will generate millions of dollars for the Australian economy in its first five years on the market.
A prototype of the digital wireless node is planned for pilot trials with Australian and US public transport and public safety agencies by mid-2005.