Communicating In Crisis
Today’s law enforcement agencies and fire departments are turning to newer types of wireless networking technologies to enable better data sharing. These systems allow personnel to exchange live videos, maps, and photos, medical information, and even floor plans more efficiently, such as in Garland, Texas, where workers rely on mesh networking to provide near-DSL connection speeds for laptops.
Under the system, developed by NexGen City and MeshNetworks, laptops automatically become a point within a network when they are within a certain range and close to other laptops. The laptops send information to each other in order to allow data to traverse the network by leaping along the most efficient route.
This is in contrast to the conventional tower-based system used by most cellular networks that can lead to dead spots. If any point in the mesh network is disrupted, the network just rearranges itself, according to Rick Rotondo, MeshNetworks’ vice president of technical marketing.
Another technology being used by emergency responders is software radio, which is suitable for voice communications and involves equipping radios with programs that instantly swap frequencies and protocols as necessary.
Firms offering such technology include Vanu, which has a Compaq iPAQ pocket PC featuring radio software for use with frequencies between 100 MHz and 500 MHz, and Thales Communications, which is bringing out a streamlined version of its software radio now being used by the military.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Technology Review (05/04) Vol. 107, No. 4, P. 18; Lok, Corie .
