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A third-generation of the Serval Mesh Extender, in its natural environment, strapped to a coconut palm in Vanuatu.
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... The Serval Mesh Extender [1] incorporates both ad-hoc Wi-Fi and an RFD900 [2] UHF packet radio. Together with the Serval Rhizome store-and-forward protocols, this allows for robust, decentralized and infrastructure-independent communications following disasters and in remote areas. ...
... The same methodology can potentially be applied to HF communications, however, the complexity of HF radio equipment excludes the possibility of incorporating it physically inside the compact Mesh Extender housing. The Serval Mesh Extender was, however, designed with this eventuality in mind, and provides access to the radio serial port interface externally via the combined power/external-radio connector [1]. ...
... This paper is one of a related series of papers [1], [3]- [10] concerning the Serval Project and related initiatives to be presented at GHTC 2017. These papers collectively represent a subset of the initiatives of a regional coalition to transform the affordability and reach of disaster and remote telecommunications technologies in the Pacific and beyond, based out of the Resilient Telecommunications Laboratory at the Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. ...
HF and VHF radios retain considerable operational benefits for disaster communications. In particular, they can be the only available communications channel into a disaster zone, and are capable of communications over tens to thousands of kilometers. However, their bandwidth is extremely limited, as low as 1 bit/second, which has previously limited their utility as a backbone for public telecommunications. The Serval Mesh already includes the Low-Bandwidth Asynchronous Rhizome Delivery (LBARD) function, which scales down to 10s of bytes per second, and allows for near real-time two-way encrypted and authenticated text messaging using Android mobile telephones. In this paper, we present several improvements to LBARD, including a locality heuristic algorithm that allows for effective prioritization of HF transmission queues. The improvements enable LBARD to scale down to the ultra-low bandwidths (as low as 1bit/second) of even older HF radio equipment. Simulation and live HF-radio test results of a proof of concept are presented confirming the possibility of delivering hundreds to tens of thousands of text messages to be delivered per day using commercially-off-the-shelf HF radio equipment. In doing so, we create a new use-case for existing HF radios, and create the tantalizing possibility of providing basic day-today mobile telecommunications in regions too isolated to be viably serviced by other means.
... The low effective bandwidth of the UHF radio link, typically <1KB / second, necessitates effective prioritization of Rhizome Bundles in order to deliver acceptable performance. The Serval Mesh Extender is described in more detail in a companion paper [40]. ...
Self-organizing Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MA-NETs) based on Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN), are powerful tools for maintaining or reestablishing telecommunications following disasters and other infrastructure disrupting events. However, such networks typically have very limited bandwidth compared with infrastructure-based networks, with the practical effect that they cannot satisfy every demand placed upon them. Thus, if the most critical traffic is to be delivered, and in a timely manner, some form of filtering or prioritization is needed. This paper sets out an architecture for solving this problem, and presents supporting simulation and field results. The architecture is built using the input of several emergency and disaster response organizations, to ensure that the key services required by citizens post-disaster were incorporated. Reflecting the dynamic nature of post-disaster communications needs, as identified in the survey, the architecture provides a framework in which arbitrary prioritization policies can be defined, and redefined, so that the humanitarian utility of a network can be maximized according to the prevailing situation and requirements. A proof-of-concept implementation is presented, yielding orders of magnitude reduction in message delivery latency in both simulation and in a field trial of an existing disaster communications system.
... It is this problem of power consumption which has prevented the development of usable systems, that can operate without any supporting infrastructure, and that has spurred the need for devices such as the Serval Mesh Extender [2], which allow phones to operate as ordinary low-power Wi-Fi clients. While this can largely resolve the energy consumption problem, and the devices are relatively small and low-cost, it curtails the benefits of peer-to-peer communications in disaster situations, by resurrecting the need to supply and operate some sort of infrastructure. ...
... This paper is one of a related series of papers ( [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], and [10]) concerning the Serval Project and related initiatives to be presented at GHTC 2017. These papers collectively represent a subset of the initiatives 978-1-5090-6046-7/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE of a regional coalition to transform the affordability and reach of disaster and remote telecommunications technologies in the Pacific and beyond, based out of the Resilient Telecommunications Laboratory at the Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. ...
... The primary limitation of the Serval Mesh is that Bluetooth has very short communications range. For this and related reasons, the Serval Mesh Extender [8] was created. The Mesh Extender includes both Wi-Fi and a UHF packet radio. ...
... As described in a sister paper [8], Serval Mesh Extenders are designed for use in disaster conditions, and include their own flexible power input, capable of accepting a bare solar panel (the panel regulator is included inside the Mesh Extender), 12-24V power from a car, truck, fuel-cell or small wind turbine, is able to charge and utilize an optional rechargeable LiFePO4, Sealed-Lead Acid (SLA) or Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) batter pack, as well as provide a standard 5V USB power outlet to help recharge phones. Mesh Extenders require no configuration, and can be freely moved about by beneficiaries, so that they can be where they are needed most. ...
... This paper is one of a related series of papers [8]- [16] concerning the Serval Project and related initiatives to be presented at GHTC 2017. These papers collectively represent a subset of the initiatives of a regional coalition to transform the affordability and reach of disaster and remote telecommunications technologies in the Pacific and beyond, based out of the Resilient Telecommunications Laboratory at the Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. ...
... The Serval Mesh Extender [1] incorporates both ad-hoc Wi-Fi and an RFD900 [2] UHF packet radio. Together with the Serval Rhizome store-and-forward protocols, this allows for robust, decentralized and infrastructure-independent communications following disasters and in remote areas. ...
... The same methodology can potentially be applied to HF communications, however, the complexity of HF radio equipment excludes the possibility of incorporating it physically inside the compact Mesh Extender housing. The Serval Mesh Extender was, however, designed with this eventuality in mind, and provides access to the radio serial port interface externally via the combined power/external-radio connector [1]. ...
... This paper is one of a related series of papers [1], [3]- [10] concerning the Serval Project and related initiatives to be presented at GHTC 2017. These papers collectively represent a subset of the initiatives of a regional coalition to transform the affordability and reach of disaster and remote telecommunications technologies in the Pacific and beyond, based out of the Resilient Telecommunications Laboratory at the Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. ...
Information technology has become embedded in almost every area of modern life. The many complex digital systems that support modern societies are now highly dependent on the correct function of complex and highly interdependent technological systems. Digital tools are increasingly becoming part of traditional crisis response efforts by government and non- government organisations. While digital tools have substantial capabilities to enhance crisis response efforts, they also pose significant risks to user communities when deployed in time- sensitive, vulnerable and fragile crisis contexts – as part of an already complex system. These risks and inefficiencies have been demonstrated in the contact-tracing application debate in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Technology must be intentionally designed and implemented, both to help solve the problem at hand and support end user communities. The principles of simple, secure and survivable systems (S4) offer a framework for technology that serves the interests of end-users and maintains human dignity, especially in crisis situations. The S4 principles are already evident in a number of technology projects, across research, design, build and deployment phases. Instead of high-risk, ad hoc, reactive digital solutions, crisis responders can pre-emptively share information, invest and work with existing technology design and development experts that reflect the S4 principles for efficient, effective solutions that enhance response capabilities both now and in future scenarios.
In an interconnected world, the challenge of maintaining interdependent systems during disasters and disruptive events, such as pandemics, bushfires, cyber-attacks and trade wars is imperative. The critical infrastructure capabilities to be sustained during disasters are many. COVID-19 has demonstrated how a public health threat can fracture the supply chains, including those that underpin digital systems, and degrade the capacity of software and hardware companies. Society must plan for such digital disruptions if it is to survive such shocks.
We explore some of the reasons why this is necessary, including the issue of cascading failures, and examines how and in what form more resilient systems might take. This includes consideration of issues such as the need for incentives in order to drive and maintain adoption of resilient technologies, and how such incentives can be created as a natural property of well- conceived systems.
We also briefly examine two initiatives that seek to solve some of the harder problems, including security, trustability, independence from energy and communications infrastructure, and the ability to sustain digital capabilities when digital supply chains fail. This remains an open area requiring attention, if society is to improve its resilience to significant shocks.
