Demo abstract: A proximity-based aerial survivor locator based on connectionless broadcast

Abstract

Under a situation where network infrastructures are interrupted by a devastating natural disaster, few communication channels left for survivors to request help are proximity-based communications on their mobile devices, for example Bluetooth and Wi-Fi direct. Since these technologies have a limited transmission range, rescue teams need to travel over a disaster area and physically come close to survivors to detect signals emitted from their devices. In this paper we demonstrate how to combine connectionless broadcast capabilities of existing mobile/wearable devices on the market, together with the high-mobility and proximity-based connectivity of drones (e.g., quadcopters), to help rescue teams discover signals from survivors.