Eideard

Daylife photo by Paul A. Wilson

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers successfully demonstrated a prototype approach to maintain two-way communications with first responders as they make their way in building fires, and mine and tunnel collapses. These and other disasters in enclosed environments are often rife with radio dead spots and conditions that can severely weaken signals.

On Aug. 5, NIST information technology experts put their version of a “breadcrumb communication system” through its paces. The system is highly automated so that it can be deployed on the fly. It features “smart” multihop relays—sometimes referred to as “breadcrumbs”—that, in effect, advise first responders when to place the next device so as to extend the communications range.

Assembled from off-the-shelf microprocessors and other standard hardware, the relays incorporate NIST-developed software that monitors the status of radio communication signals. The algorithms embedded in the software rapidly assess the strength of received signals so that the device can automatically alert first responders to lay down the next relay before they walk out of range and lose the radio signal.

Wow! What a sensible solution.

It would be nice if there was some unified R&D; but, that obviously isn’t going to happen until we get beyond the politics of no-bid, faith-based contracts.