A Review of Applicable Technologies, Routing Protocols, Requirements, and Architecture for Disaster Area Networks

The swift progress of various cutting-edge network topologies, especially Fifth-Generation Networks (5G), Sixth-Generation Networks (6G), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and satellite technologies, presents a promising opportunity to guarantee reliable communication and offer consistent and secure emergency services in times of calamities. Fuelled by the rapid evolution of network architectures, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the emerging network topologies, technologies, routing protocols, and difficulties associated with disaster area networks (DANs). This investigation seeks to examine the integration of various DAN topologies, including aerial, terrestrial, and maritime networks, to enhance communication during a disaster. Subsequently, we assess numerous network performance metrics, such as delay, overhead, throughput, energy consumption, packet ratio, and security. The review is concluded by illuminating recent research trends and open issues in the domain of emergency communication. Ultimately, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, network engineers, and policymakers in the domain of DANs, offering a thorough basis for informed decision-making to streamline network deployments and preserve lives.