Off the Grid
Team​ ​members: Ian Schneier,ÌýLinda Palacios,ÌýWeikang Zhang,ÌýXucheng You,ÌýJingwen Luo,ÌýAlec Motazedi
Project​ ​Sponsor: Prof. Alan Mickelson
User​ ​Problem:ÌýWe are addressing the issue of a power grid failure in the case of natural disasters. During these disasters existing communication networks are often among the first pieces of critical infrastructure to fail, leaving individuals disconnected. In these events, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks and other forms of communication are obsolete; making it difficult for rescue teams and those affected to contact each other. This absence of communication increases the mortality rate, of which we would like to limit. The solution shall be explained later in the description.
Overall​ ​Product​ ​Solution:ÌýOur goal is to provide wireless communication during the aftermath of major disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis in order to help individuals access each other, information services, and facilitate fast response for rescue. The devices will operate on the ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) bands at 2.4 and 5.7 GHz bands which are a frequency bandwidth designated by the United Nations for wireless communication without any licenses. The device will be hermetically sealed (waterproof) for
easier deployment in areas that recently experienced flooding. It will also be able to withstand up to a 15ft (5m) drop. The device may employ a geolocation service in order to locate devices connected to the network and their users to improve rescue operations. The product will connect with others of its kind to create a mesh network to improve data throughput and area coverage. It will power by a rechargeable batteries and have a built in internal power management systems to extend its battery life to approximately 2 weeks. The durability of structure and network connection reliability will allow rescue workersÌýand affected victims to communicate clearly, thus saving more people, more effectively.
Benefitting​ ​Group:ÌýDisaster victims could rely on this network to access to basic resources like maps and local messaging in order to find someone near for help or gather as a team to save themselves. In addition, local authorities could also use the network system to perform search and rescue operations by seeing what devices are connected to the Off-the grid network, reducing the time it takes for rescue teams to find victims by searching their locations through the network, which could result in saving more lives in the aftermath of a disaster.
What​ ​Makes​ ​Us​ ​Different: Our product is a low-cost kit based on a previous design made by Professor Mickelson’s WiLD board design team. We miniaturizing the technology in order to differentiate the product from others that already exist. This will enable the device to be portable and quick to deploy in a disaster area. The device will be able to communicate with other kits of its kind in order to build a stronger mesh network in order to improve coverage and throughput. Additionally, the device will be able to locate the location of network user’s devices in order to track and rescue them in the event that they are trapped in rubble or in another perilous situation. Even during the earthquake or flooding, the network can connect community members and responders, which will make the search and rescue mission more efficient. We will make the device more mobile, so it can be carried it around be deployable in convenient areas such as the top of a tower. With the improved network coverage created by the device users can access their needed informations and other services via the Off-the-Grid wireless network.