Search and Rescue Robot Team RF Communication via Power Cable Transmission Line - A Proposal

Mobile multi-robot systems can be used in search and rescue operations in hazardous environments. Wireless mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET) provide hop-by-hop routings along shortest paths to reach the controller from many sensor sources. An outdoor line-of-sight RF link (e.g. 2.45 GHz ZigBee) can cover over 100 m. However, inside a collapsed building, the range often drops to a few metres or even completely blocked by the rubble. The power-line network of a building can become an auxiliary signal transmission medium which would guide the weak signals from inside to get to the controller outside.