A Wireless Communications System That Works When Cell Phones, Internet Are Down

Feuer Frei! · 08-22-11, 09:49 PM

One of the first things to disappear in the wake of a major disaster is reliable communication. Without access to cell phone service or the Internet, it's difficult for first responders--or anyone who wants to help out--to speak with each other. And while satellite phones work in these situations, they're too expensive for many first responder organizations to purchase en masse. Now researchers from Georgia Tech College of Computing claim to have developed a cheap, easy solution: LifeNet, a piece of software that allows people to communicate after disasters, even if landlines, cell phone networks, and the Internet are all down.

"It's just a piece of code that you can have on your laptop or phone. Once you have the software, the computers can communicate with each other, and you don't need infrastructure," says Santosh Vempala, the Georgia Tech computer science professor in charge of the project.

SOURCE

the_tyrant · 08-22-11, 09:57 PM

have you tried shouting?
no wires needed!

Fish In The Water · 08-23-11, 03:17 AM

Quote:

There's just one catch: Users have to be within range of each other... But as Vempala notes, "you could have a line of people on this network that are spaced 100 yards apart, and the line could go as long as you want."

I've got two cans and a piece of string that'll go just as far...

Penguin · 08-23-11, 06:02 AM

a laptop may not be the best comm device when being off the grid...

This looks more like an egghead's invention to solve a problem which is better solved by a low-tech approach.
I can't see any advantage over CB radio, a tech we have since decades.

Osmium Steele · 08-23-11, 07:54 AM

HF transmitter and a speedkey. The closest thing to a guarantee you'll get.

08-22-11, 09:49 PM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	A Wireless Communications System That Works When Cell Phones, Internet Are Down One of the first things to disappear in the wake of a major disaster is reliable communication. Without access to cell phone service or the Internet, it's difficult for first responders--or anyone who wants to help out--to speak with each other. And while satellite phones work in these situations, they're too expensive for many first responder organizations to purchase en masse. Now researchers from Georgia Tech College of Computing claim to have developed a cheap, easy solution: LifeNet, a piece of software that allows people to communicate after disasters, even if landlines, cell phone networks, and the Internet are all down. "It's just a piece of code that you can have on your laptop or phone. Once you have the software, the computers can communicate with each other, and you don't need infrastructure," says Santosh Vempala, the Georgia Tech computer science professor in charge of the project. SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

08-22-11, 09:57 PM	#2
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	have you tried shouting? no wires needed! __________________ My own open source project on Sourceforge OTP.net KGB grade encryption for the rest of us

08-23-11, 07:54 AM	#5
Osmium Steele Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Upper midwest USA Posts: 1,101 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	HF transmitter and a speedkey. The closest thing to a guarantee you'll get. __________________ In the month of July of the year 1348, between the feasts of St. Benedict and of St. Swithin, a strange thing came upon England... My U297 build thread

08-23-11, 06:02 AM	#4
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	a laptop may not be the best comm device when being off the grid... This looks more like an egghead's invention to solve a problem which is better solved by a low-tech approach. I can't see any advantage over CB radio, a tech we have since decades.