Disaster Area Wireless Network

综合、混合和复杂系统俄克拉何马州大学灾区无线网络智能优势：本研究的目标是设计一种可快速部署、可靠的通信基础设施，用于灾后重建通信。这样一个灾区无线网络（DAWN）将为协调救灾和恢复工作提供急需的通信，直到能够重建正常的通信渠道。DAWN的基础设施是基于部署在拴在地面上的气球上的网络节点。每个节点利用自由空间光（FSO）和射频（RF）链路在气球之间以及气球与地面之间构建混合网络。为了实现这样一个系统，本研究探讨：(i)使用FSO链路考虑链路获取和维护的气球之间物理层连接的可行机制；（ii）接收器存取控制（RAC）协议，容许多个无线通讯系统节点共用接收器；（iii）路由算法和拓扑设计方法，以实现具有射频链路的自配置FSO环形拓扑，用于节点间通信，并在FSO链路不可用时具有备用容量；（iv）将多个无线局域网络信号聚合为一个无线光控信号，并提取信号传送至地面；(v)平衡功率和重量以延长电池寿命和满足气球有效载荷要求的技术；（六）提供地面节点的充分覆盖和与现有地面网络的可靠连接的方法。将采用实验研究与理论建模相结合的方法。更广泛的影响：如果成功，这项研究将导致实现快速部署的方法，具有成本效益的通信系统，促进执法部门和公共安全机构之间的协调，以应对自然和人为灾害。其他应用包括机载互联网接入和战场通信。实验计划在两个正在进行的面向初高中学生和教师的工程和科学暑期学院中采用。调查人员将让本科生参与研究，并利用现有关系从代表性不足的群体中招募本科生参与研究。

Integrative, Hybrid and Complex SystemsHazem H. RefaiUniversity of OklahomaDisaster Area Wireless NetworkIntellectual Merit: The objective of this research is to design a quickly deployable, reliable communication infrastructure for reestablishing communication following a disaster. Such a disaster area wireless network (DAWN) would provide much needed communication for coordinating relief and recovery efforts until normal communication channels can be reestablished. The DAWN infrastructure is based on network nodes deployed on balloons that are tethered to the ground. Each node utilizes free-space optical (FSO) and radio frequency (RF) links to construct a hybrid network between balloons and between balloons and the ground. To realize such a system, this research investigates: (i) viable mechanisms for physical layer connectivity between balloons using FSO links that consider link acquisition and maintenance; (ii) receiver access control (RAC) protocols to allow sharing of receivers among multiple FSO nodes; (iii) routing algorithms and methods for topology design to realize a self-configuring FSO ring topology with an RF link for inter-nodal communications and backup capacity when the FSO links are unavailable; (iv) aggregation of multiple wireless local area network signals into a single FSO signal and extraction of signals for transmission to ground; (v) techniques to balance power and weight to increase battery life and meet balloon payload requirements; and (vi) methods to provide ample coverage of ground-based nodes and reliable connectivity to existing terrestrial networks. A combination of experimental research and theoretical modeling will be utilized.Broader Impacts: If successful, this research will lead to methods to realize rapidly deployable, cost-effective communication systems that facilitate coordination between law enforcement and public safety agencies responding to natural and manmade disasters. Additional applications include airborne internet access and battlefield communications. Experiments are planned for adoption in two ongoing engineering and science summer academies for middle and high school students and teachers. The investigators will engage undergraduates in research and will leverage existing relationships to recruit undergraduates from underrepresented groups to participate.