Multi-Radio Nodes for Mobile Mesh Networks for Emergency Response and Battle Command Systems

Emergency Response and Battle Command Systems must deliver mission-critical information to the right person at the right place and time in order to support decision-making processes at all echelons. Civilian emergency responders have limited resources to build these systems, and Military users want to reduce costs. Currently available commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware for ad hoc mobile mesh networking is limited to WiFi or 802.11 hardware and devices. For forest fire fighters, emergency responders and military users, obstructions like trees in a forest or urban canyons can reduce 802.11 (2.4 GHz) radio range from 300 ft. to less than 100 ft. When operating in an area covering several square miles, the number of mesh network nodes needed to cover the area is very high. The Multi-Radio Node (MRN) approach combines 802.11 hardware with secondary radios using different frequencies, ranges and capabilities to build a multi-frequency mesh network. This multi-frequency network allows COTS 802.11 endpoint devices to connect and communicate over a much longer range multihop mesh system. Satellite uplinks and very long-range radios provide connection back to a base camp network, wired network or the Internet. This multi-radio mesh network leverages long-range links, redundant links and integrated satellite uplinks to provide a fault tolerant and robust system. The paper discusses the MRN approach, prototype, testbed, and experiences to date.