A Robotic Mobile Hot Spot Relay (MHSR) for Disaster Areas

Rescue forces in disaster areas mostly use Mobile Ad-Hoc networks to enable quick communication facilities over various physical barriers. Such networks consist of mobile terminals connected to base stations (BS) or Access Points (AP) in order to transmit essential information to the outer world. In disaster areas, rescue forces are equipped with a PAN (Personal Area Network) which combines devices such as medical, vibration and noise sensors. In such areas where communication conditions are unstable, it is essential to deploy the infrastructure as soon as possible. For example, the authors of [2] propose an implementation of an Autonomous P2P Ad-Hoc Group Communication that supports the need of emergency communication in earthquake disaster areas. In [3] a model for developing Ad Hoc Network configuration technologies is proposed. This model, the Disaster Area Architecture, improves information exchange and coordination among the participants. We present a small self propelled robot. Our robot is resistant to mechanical damage [4] and operates as a communication relay in order to overcome communication disorders inside ruins or tunnels, between the PAN and the outer world. This robot is called when there is no direct connection towards a wireless Access Point (AP), using a short range communication request (by a smartphone for example). Our Mobile Hot Spot Relay (MHSR) depicted in Figure 1, moves independently and can be used in a disaster area, where it can be mobilized upon a request. While moving, it monitors the Wi-Fi signal towards the AP and when it goes under a certain (predefined) threshold it stops.