Final Project Milestone One: Background, Research and Critique

Final Project Milestone One: Background, Research and Critique

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IT – 515 Innovations in Info Technology

Prashant Prabhat

Southern New Hampshire University

Running head: BACKGROUND, RESEARCH AND CRITIQUE

2

Table of Contents Introduction 2 Background 2 Research and Critique 3 Innovative Technologies 3 Assessment 5 Selection 6 References 7

Introduction

Inevitable natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, etc. and unnecessary man-made disasters such as wars can devastate many lives and infrastructure, including critical communication infrastructure. The loss of communication means in disaster-struck areas hinders to provide quick response to aid the victims affected. United Mobile Response Systems (UMRS), which provides integrated solutions for crisis and disaster response organizations worldwide, has a mission to develop a mobile communication solution that helps in re-establishing a viable communications capability in disaster-struck regions.

Background

The organization needs a technology solution that supports the crisis response community. The goal is to decrease response time and increase overall effectiveness of crisis response operations for its customers. Communication is imperative to provide relief, which gets affected by the disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, and so on. The mission is to re-establish the viable communications capability in the regions in quickest possible time. Getting in touch with the people in danger is very important to rescue them, and there must be some way to communicate with the people needing help. Without any communication, the relief efforts can be delayed tremendously.

This technology solution must have a Mobile Command Center (MCC) which would serve at the base and central location for relief efforts. The vehicle for the MCC has already been decided by the UMRS Engineers which will be modified HUMVEE that meets the requirements of onboard power generation, at least a 14 – clearance and 300 – mile range before refueling. The MCC must be capable of transmitting voice and possibly data. The range of the communications must be expandable beyond the MCC within a 10 – mile radius and must be able to connect to other MCCs within that range.

This need for the technology solution could be addressed by the use of Satellite Communication Technology. This technology will provide communications, networking, and high-bandwidth internet connectivity via Satellite.

Research and Critique

Innovative Technologies

GATR Satellite Antenna based on the Satellite Communication Technology is one of the most important innovations for disaster recovery operations. It is inflatable, easy to deploy, reliable in extreme environments, having lower cost of ownership, and claimed to be the most portable satellite antenna in the world. It enables high – bandwidth satellite communications – whenever and wherever. These are already used for data and voice transmissions by several US federal agencies. According to the news provided by the Cubic Corporation, these were deployed to support hurricane disaster recovery operations on the islands of St. John and St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands; Antigua; Barbuda; and St. Martin. I believe it is a very adequate technology for the MCC to provide communications, networking, and high – bandwidth internet connectivity in the disaster-struck extreme environments.

Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) is another great innovative technology that helps in establishing communications in disaster zones. The ETC is a series of connected balloons that act as cell phone towers and routers that can be set up to provide wireless internet and cellular service in disaster zones (Kitaj, 2015). This technology was used by United Nation’s Information and Communication Technologies Task Force (ICT) in earthquake relief operations in April 2015 in Nepal. It is also a very important solution for the emergency communications. Wi-Fi access and cellular support helps the victims to contact family or other outside assistance, find routes out of the disaster zone, and so on.

All Terrain Solar Trailer (ATST) is also a great innovation that helps the victims of natural disasters in staying connected, even during lengthy power outages. The ATST is a portable, solar-powered-generator station having 4 – 8 batteries which provides 1200 – 2400 watts of solar charge. It is designed to reach places where infrastructure has been destroyed, and up to 100 phones can be charged at once using both batteries and the sun. I think this innovation would also be very helpful to provide power supply for communications in disaster zones.

Picture source: “popularmechanics.com”

Fig: All Terrain Solar Trailer (ATST)

Assessment

The price of $50,000 for a GATR Satellite Antenna seems very high, but it is far less than that of other remote-deployable satellite antennas. It also provides savings in transportation costs as it packs in as few as two cases for a single band GATR. Its implementation is very easy and takes as little as 30 minutes. It will be highly beneficial for communications of disaster-affected victims. It uses Satellite Communication Technology to provide high – bandwidth internet connectivity and hence the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) of the affected regions might be affected by the adoption of new technology. I think, the implementation of this new technology needs support from the Government, and also from the ISPs and mobile service providers.

The budget of ETC deployed in Nepal was $2 million. Its implementation needed support from Government authorities, national internet and mobile service providers, and various humanitarian organizations such as Ericsson Response, NetHope, and so on. The ETC team was working closely with the national internet service providers (ISPs) to extend services to different locations.

The cost of implementing ATST is not too expensive and the solution is well worth the price. It is designed to reach the disaster affected places easily, and its implementation is also very easy. The victims of the disaster will be benefitted with capabilities of charging their mobile devices and staying connected with the family or other outside assistance. This technology would pair perfectly with the HUMVEE vehicle and would be a great asset to the organization.

Selection

Analyzing the three technologies against the needs of the organization, I believe the combination of the GATR Satellite Antenna and the ATST would give the best solution. Where the satellite antenna provides the communication, networking, and high – bandwidth internet connectivity, the ATST provides the solar-powered generator station to charge up to 100 mobile devices simultaneously. This combination of products makes the MCC very powerful and ensures long lasting communication solution – whenever and wherever. This solution is not only reliable in extreme environmental conditions, but also cost-effective. I believe, this solution completely meets the organization needs; and helps to decrease the response time and increase the overall effectiveness of crisis response operations.

References

Cubic. (2017, September 25). Cubic aids hurricane disaster relief efforts with Satellite Communication Technology. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cubic-aids-hurricane-disaster-relief-efforts-with-satellite-communications-technology-300524807.html

Cubic. (n.d.). Wherever you are, get connected with GATR Antenna systems. Retrieved from https://www.cubic.com/solutions/c4isr/secure-communications/expeditionary-satcom

Emergency Telecommunications Cluster. (2015). Nepal earthquake. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ETC%20Nepal%20Sitrep%20%237_0.pdf

Kiniry, L. (2012, December 25). 9 Disaster-relief inventions. Retrieved from https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/g1025/9-disaster-relief-inventions/?slide=1

Kitaj, J. (2015, August 2). Wireless and emergency communications tech in disaster relief. Retrieved from https://borgenproject.org/wireless-and-emergency-communications-tech-in-disaster-relief/

Schilling, M. (2017). Strategic management of technological innovation (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Thompson J. (2009, February 3). GATR and ‘The value of flyaway VSAT’. Retrieved from http://aidworkerdaily.com/2009/02/03/gatr-and-the-value-of-a-flyaway-vsat/

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