Apparatus and Method for Providing a Rapidly Deployable Wireless Network

Abstract

The invention includes apparatus and method for providing a rapidly deployable wireless network. An apparatus includes means for providing radio access network (RAN) functions, means for providing at least one core (CORE) networking function, and means for providing at least one service. The RAN functions include at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function. The CORE networking functions include at least one of an AAA function, a DNS function, a DHCP function, a call/session control function, and the like. The apparatus may further include means for providing at least one additional wireless interface, including one or more of a wireless mesh interface, a wireless backhaul interface, and a wireless management interface. The apparatus is adapted for being deployed on a mobile platform. The apparatus may be used to provide a standalone wireless network independent of existing network infrastructure, or an integrated wireless network utilizing existing network infrastructure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/900,833 entitled “911-NOW: A Network On Wheels For Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery Operations,” filed Feb. 12, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of communication networks and, more specifically, to wireless networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Emergency response organizations increasingly depend on wireless communication technology to provide communication during emergencies. Disadvantageously, however, emergencies often result in damage to, or sometimes even destruction of, existing network infrastructure, thereby preventing communications between emergency personnel. In other words, the existing communications infrastructure lacks survivability. Furthermore, even if portions of the existing communications infrastructure do survive the emergency, the existing communications infrastructure may not be able to handle the increased traffic load typical during emergencies. Specifically, remaining portions of the existing communication infrastructure may be overloaded as emergency personnel, and the general public, attempt various types of communications. Such deficiencies became clear during the events of Sep. 11, 2001, and again during the events of Hurricane Katrina.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various deficiencies in the prior art are addressed through the invention of an apparatus and method for providing a rapidly-deployable wireless network. An apparatus includes means for providing radio access network (RAN) functions, means for providing at least one core (CORE) networking function, and means for providing at least one service. The RAN functions include one or more air interfaces, control functions, and network gateway functions. The CORE networking functions include at least one of an AAA function, a DNS function, a DHCP function, a call/session control function, and the like. The services include one or more applications, such as voice calls, voice conferencing, file transfers, sensor data transfers, high-speed data downloads, streaming video, video conferencing, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. The apparatus may further include means for providing at least one additional wireless interface, including one or more of a wireless interface for mesh networking, a wireless interface for backhaul to existing network infrastructure, and a wireless interface for performing management functions.

The apparatus is adapted for being deployed on a mobile platform, such as an individual mobile platform, a vehicle-based mobile platform, or any other mobile platform which may be used to transport the apparatus to a site at which a rapidly deployable wireless network is required. The apparatus may be deployed in various situations, e.g., for emergency response situations (e.g., responding to fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist attacks, and the like), civilian search and rescue operations, large-crowd events (e.g., sporting events, concerts, and the like), rapid replacement of commercial cellular networks (e.g., where part of a network of a commercial wireless service provider is unavailable), military situations, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. The apparatus may be deployed in any other situation where a wireless network may be useful. The apparatus may be deployed to provide a standalone wireless network independent of any existing network infrastructure, or to provide an integrated wireless network utilizing existing network infrastructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a standalone 911-NOW communication network architecture that is independent of any existing network infrastructure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict communication scenarios for communications between users at an emergency site using the stand-alone version of the 911-NOW communication network architecture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an integrated 911-NOW communication network architecture that utilizes a 911-NOW mesh network and an existing network infrastructure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict communication scenarios for communications between users at an emergency site and users at an emergency headquarters using the integrated version of the 911-NOW communication network architecture of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 depicts a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of a 911-NOW node;

FIG. 6 depicts a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of a functional module of the 911-NOW node of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts a method according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 depicts a high-level block diagram of a general-purpose computer suitable for use in performing functions described herein.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rapidly deployable network (denoted herein as a 911 network on wheels, i.e., 911-NOW). The 911-NOW network is formed using one or more 911-NOW nodes. A 911-NOW node is an integrated network node supporting RAN functions (and, optionally, one or more additional wireless interfaces), core networking functions, and services. A 911-NOW node is implemented on a mobile platform such that the 911-NOW node may be deployed to form a wireless network wherever such network may be required. By providing RAN functions (and, optionally, one or more additional wireless interfaces), core networking functions, and services, a single 911-NOW node may form a fully-functional and completely autonomous wireless network independent of existing network infrastructure. Thus, one or more 911-NOW nodes may be deployed to form a standalone wireless network that is not dependent on existing network infrastructure, but which may utilize existing network infrastructure where such existing network infrastructure is available.

FIG. 1 depicts a standalone 911-NOW communication network architecture that is independent of any existing network infrastructure. Specifically, standalone 911-NOW communication network architecture 100 includes a plurality of 911-NOW nodes 110_A-110_G (collectively, 911-NOW nodes 110) supporting wireless communications at an emergency site 101. The standalone 911-NOW communication network architecture 100 provides a fully-functional network since each of the 911-NOW nodes 110 includes RAN functions, CORE networking functions, and services. As depicted in FIG. 1, each of the 911-NOW nodes 110 is placed or mounted on a mobile platform and transported to emergency site 101. The 911-NOW nodes 110 form a wireless network at emergency site 101.

The emergency site 101 may be any location or combination of locations at which a wireless network is required. The emergency site 101 may be a localized site, a collection of localized sites, a widespread site, a collection of widespread sites, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. For example, emergency site 101 may be a single location, multiple locations within a town or city, or even span one or more counties, states, countries, continents, and the like. The 911-NOW network is not limited by the scope of the emergency site. The emergency site 101 may be associated with any type of emergency. For example, emergency site 101 may be associated with a natural disaster (e.g., a flood, a hurricane, a tornado, and the like), a manmade disaster (e.g., a chemical spill, a terrorist attack, and the like), and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 1, emergency personnel (denoted herein as users 102 of the 911-NOW network 100) have responded to the emergency. The users 102 are performing various different functions at different areas of emergency site 101. For example, the users may be containing the disaster, participating in evacuation operations, participating in search and rescue operations, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. The users 102 use equipment in responding to the emergency, including equipment capable of receiving and sending information wirelessly (denoted herein as wireless user devices 104 of users 102). The wireless user devices 104 include communication equipment, and may include various other types of emergency equipment (depending on the type of emergency, severity of the emergency, logistics of the emergency site, and various other factors).

For example, wireless user devices 104 may include wireless devices carried by emergency personnel for communicating with other emergency personnel, receiving information for use in responding at the emergency site, collecting information at the emergency site, monitoring conditions at the emergency site, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. For example, wireless user devices 104 may include devices such as walkie-talkies, wireless headsets, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. The wireless user devices 104 may include various other equipment, such as monitors (e.g., for monitoring breathing, pulse, and other characteristics; for monitoring temperature, precipitation, and other environmental characteristics; and the like), sensors (e.g., for detecting air-quality changes, presence of chemical or biological agents, radiation levels, and the like), and various other equipment.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a 911-NOW-based network is established at the emergency site 101 by deploying 911-NOW nodes 110 (illustratively, 911-NOW nodes 110_A-110_G) to emergency site 101. The 911-NOW nodes 110 may be deployed using mobile platforms. The 911-NOW nodes 110 may be deployed using standalone mobile platforms. For example, 911-NOW nodes 110 may be placed in backpacks, suitcases, and like mobile cases which may be carried by individuals. The 911-NOW nodes 110 may be deployed using mobile vehicles, including land-based vehicles, sea-based vehicles, and/or air-based vehicles. For example, 911-NOW nodes may be placed (and/or mounted) on police cars, swat trucks, fire engines, ambulances, humvees, boats, helicopters, blimps, airplanes, unmanned drones, satellites, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. The 911-NOW nodes 110 may be deployed using various other mobile platforms.

As depicted in FIG. 1, 911-NOW node 110_A is deployed using a fire engine, 911-NOW node 110_B is deployed using a fire engine, 911-NOW node 110_C is deployed using a fire engine, 911-NOW node 110_D is deployed as a standalone node, 911-NOW node 110_E is deployed using a blimp, 911-NOW node 110_F is deployed as a standalone node, and 911-NOW node 110_G is deployed using a fire engine. The inherent mobility of 911-NOW nodes 110 enables quick and flexible deployment of a wireless network as needed (e.g., when, where, and how the wireless network is needed), thereby providing scalable capacity and coverage on-demand as required by the emergency personnel. Since each 911-NOW node 110 supports RAN functions, CORE networking functions, and various service functions, deployment of even one 911-NOW node produces a fully-functional wireless network.

By placing 911-NOW modules on mobile platforms, network scalability is automatically managed. Since the scope of an emergency situation typically dictates the response to the emergency situation (in terms of emergency personnel and equipment deployed), deployment of emergency response equipment and personnel of a scope sufficient to respond to an emergency will automatically result in deployment of sufficient 911-NOW modules to support the response to the emergency. For example, a fire requiring three fire engines will most likely not require more than three 911-NOW modules to support the firefighters and other personnel responding to the fire, a disaster requiring twenty fire engines and five ambulances most likely will not require more than twenty-five 911-NOW modules to support the firefighters and other emergency personnel responding to the fire, and so on.

In other words, using the 911-NOW network architecture, there will most likely not be a need for emergency personnel to dispatch special vehicles for purposes of scaling the scope of the 911-NOW network to match the scope of the emergency situation for which the 911-NOW network is being deployed (although such special deployments may be useful in some situations). By removing the decision of the number of 911-NOW modules required to support the response to an emergency, critical time and resources otherwise required to determine the number of required 911-NOW modules may be saved. Thus, emergency personnel do not have to worry about having sufficient resources to support any communications which may be required at the emergency site.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the 911-NOW nodes 110 support wireless communications for wireless user devices 104 (denoted herein as wireless access communications). The wireless access communications include wireless communications between a 911-NOW node 110 and wireless user devices served by that 911-NOW node 110. A911-NOW node 110 includes one or more wireless access interfaces supporting wireless communications for wireless user devices 104. The wireless access communications between wireless user devices 104 and 911-NOW nodes 110 are supported using respective wireless access connections 111 established between wireless user devices 104 and 911-NOW nodes 110.

The 911-NOW nodes 110 further support mobility of user devices 104 at emergency site 101. More specifically, 911-NOW nodes 110 support mobility of user devices 104 such that, as users 102 move around emergency site 101, communication sessions between wireless user devices 104 of those users 102 and 911-NOW nodes 110 are seamlessly transferred between 911-NOW nodes 110 (i.e., from a 911-NOW node currently serving the wireless user device to another 911-NOW node). The mechanism for handoff of wireless user devices 104 between 911-NOW nodes 110 may be performed in any manner, and, thus, may be based on one or more factors, such as relative signal strength, loading of the respective 911-NOW nodes 110, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the 911-NOW nodes 110 support wireless communications between 911-NOW nodes 110 (denoted herein as wireless mesh communications). The wireless mesh communications include wireless communications between 911-NOW nodes, including information transported between wireless user devices 104, control information exchanged between 911-NOW nodes 110, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. A 911-NOW node 110 includes one or more wireless mesh interfaces supporting wireless communications with one or more other 911-NOW nodes 110. The wireless mesh communications between 911-NOW nodes 110 are supported using wireless mesh connections 112 established between 911-NOW nodes 110.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the following pairs of 911-NOW nodes 110 communicate using respective wireless mesh connections 112: 911-NOW nodes 110_A and 110_B, 911-NOW nodes 110_A and 110_C, 911-NOW nodes 110_A and 110_D, 911-NOW nodes 110_B and 110_C, 911-NOW nodes 110_C and 110_D, 911-NOW nodes 110_B and 110_E, 911-NOW nodes 110_C and 110_F, 911-NOW nodes 110_D and 110_G, 911-NOW nodes 110_E and 110_F, and 911-NOW nodes 110_F and 110_G. As such, 911-NOW nodes 110 of FIG. 1 communicate to form a wireless mesh network. Although a specific wireless mesh configuration is depicted and described with respect to FIG. 1, 911-NOW nodes 110 may communicate to form various other wireless mesh configurations, and mesh configurations may be modified in real-time as conditions change.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the 911-NOW nodes 110 support wireless communications for one or more management devices 105 (denoted herein as wireless management communications). The wireless management communications include wireless communications between a 911-NOW node 110 and a management device(s) 105 served by that 911-NOW node 110. A 911-NOW node 110 includes one or more wireless management interfaces supporting wireless communications for management device(s) 105. The wireless management communications between management device 105 and 911-NOW node 110_D are supported using a wireless management connection 113 established between management device 105 and 911-NOW node 110_D.

The management device 105 is operable for configuring and controlling standalone 911-NOW network 100. For example, management device 105 may be used to configure and reconfigure one or more of the 911-NOW nodes 110, control access to the 911-NOW nodes (e.g., authorization, authentication, and like functions), control functions and services supported by the 911-NOW nodes 110, upgrade software run by the 911-NOW nodes 110, perform element/network management functions for individual 911-NOW nodes or combinations of 911-NOW nodes (e.g., fault, performance, and like management functions) and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. The management device 105 may be implemented using existing devices (e.g., laptops, PDAs, and the like), or using a newly-designed device adapted to support such management functions. The management device 105 may connect to one or more 911-NOW nodes 110 directly and/or indirectly using wireline and/or wireless interfaces.

Although primarily depicted and described with respect to one on-site management device 105, additional on-site management devices may be deployed for configuring and controlling a 911-NOW standalone network. Furthermore, the management device 105 (or one or more other management devices) may be connected to 911-NOW nodes 110 off-site for performing different functions. For example, the management device 105 may be connected to a 911-NOW node when the 911-NOW node returns to the location from which the 911-NOW node was dispatched (e.g., returns to its station) in order to perform various functions, such as post-analysis diagnostics, reconfigurations, software upgrades, management functions (e.g., fault, performance, and like management functions), and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

The 911-NOW nodes 110 support wireless communications using one or more wireless technologies. For wireless access communications, each 911-NOW node 110 may support one or more different wireless technologies, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Evolution-Data Optimized (1xEV-DO), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. For wireless mesh communications, each 911-NOW node 110 may support Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) or WiMAX technology, microwave technologies, or any other wireless technology. For wireless management communications, each 911-NOW node 110 may support one or more such cellular technologies, and, further, may support WiFi technology, Bluetooth technology, or any other wireless technology.

In one example, wireless access communications are provided using 1xEV-DO, wireless mesh communications are provided using WiFi, and wireless management communications are provided using WiFi. In another example, wireless access communications are provided using UMTS, wireless mesh communications are provided using WiMAX, and wireless management communications are provided using WiFi. In another example, wireless access communications are provided using HSDPA, wireless mesh communications are provided using WiFi, and wireless management communications are provided using Bluetooth. In other words, various different combinations of wireless technologies may be used to support different types of communications by 911-NOW nodes 110.

As described herein, wireless communications supported by 911-NOW nodes 110 convey user information, control information, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. For example, user information may include voice communications (e.g., voice calls, audio conferences, push-to-talk, and the like), data communications (e.g., text-based communications, high-speed data downloads/uploads, file transfers, sensor data transfers, and the like), video communications (e.g., video broadcasts, conferencing, and the like), multimedia communications, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. The wireless communications supported by 911-NOW nodes 110 may convey various combinations of content, e.g., audio, text, image, video, multimedia, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. For example, control information may include management information, network configuration/control information, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. Thus, 911-NOW nodes 110 support wireless communication of any information.

Although a specific number of 911-NOW nodes 110 is depicted and described as being deployed to form a 911-NOW network, fewer or more 911-NOW nodes may be deployed to form a 911-NOW network supporting communications required to provide an effective emergency response. Similarly, although a specific configuration of 911-NOW nodes 110 is depicted and described as being deployed to form a 911-NOW network, 911-NOW nodes may be deployed in various other configurations (including different locations at one emergency site or across multiple emergency sites, different combinations of mesh connections between 911-NOW nodes, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof) to form a standalone 911-NOW network supporting RAN functions, CORE networking functions, and various services supporting multimedia communications to provide an effective emergency response.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict communication scenarios for communications between users at an emergency site using the stand-alone version of the 911-NOW communication network architecture of FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 2A (a single-hop case), two (or more) users at an emergency site communicate with each other via one 911-NOW node 110 (without the communications having to traverse wireless mesh connections between 911-NOW nodes 110). As depicted in FIG. 2B (a multi-hop case), two (or more) users at an emergency site communicate with each other directly via multiple 911-NOW nodes. A first user 102 communicates directly with a first 911-NOW node 110 and a second user 102 communicates with a second 911-NOW node 110, and first and second 911-NOW nodes 110 communicate (via one or more wireless mesh connections) in order to provide a communication path between the first and second users 102.

As described herein, although one or more 911-NOW nodes 110 are capable of forming a fully-functional, standalone cellular wireless network without relying on existing infrastructure (fixed or variable), where there is existing infrastructure (that was not damaged or destroyed), the standalone 911-NOW wireless network may leverage the existing network infrastructure to form an integrated 911-NOW wireless network capable of supporting various additional capabilities (e.g., supporting communications with one or more other standalone 911-NOW wireless networks, supporting communications with one or more remote emergency management headquarters, supporting communications with other resources, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof). An integrated 911-NOW wireless network including a mesh 911-NOW network in communication with existing network infrastructure is depicted and described herein with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 depicts an integrated 911-NOW communication network architecture including a 911-NOW mesh network and an existing network infrastructure. Specifically, the integrated 911-NOW communication network architecture 300 includes 911-NOW mesh network 100 and existing network infrastructure 301. The existing network infrastructure 301 may include any existing communications infrastructure adapted for supporting wireless communications (e.g., including backhaul functions, networking functions, services, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof) for 911-NOW mesh network 100.

The existing network infrastructure 301 may include wireless access capabilities (e.g., radio access networks, satellite access networks, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof), backhaul capabilities (e.g., public and/or private, wireline and/or wireless, backhaul networks supporting mobility management functions, routing functions, and gateway functions, as well as various other related functions), core networking capabilities (e.g., MA functions, DNS functions, DHCP functions, call/session control functions, and the like), services capabilities (e.g., application servers, media servers, and the like), and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. Since 911-NOW nodes 110 also supports such capabilities, in some embodiments at least a portion of these capabilities of existing network infrastructure 201 may only be relied upon when necessary.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the existing network infrastructure 301 supports wireless backhaul connections. Specifically, the existing network infrastructure 301 supports two wireless backhaul connections from 911-NOW mesh network 100. The existing network infrastructure 301 supports a first wireless backhaul connection 314 with 911-NOW node 110_E using a satellite 302, where satellite 302 is in wireless backhaul communication with a satellite backhaul node 303 at the edge of Internet 306. The existing network infrastructure 301 supports a second wireless backhaul connection 314 with 911-NOW node 110_G using a cellular base station 304, where cellular base station in 304 is in wireline backhaul communication with a cellular backhaul node 305 at the edge of Internet 306.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the existing network infrastructure 301 further supports other connections to other locations with which users 102 of emergency site 101 may communicate. The existing network infrastructure 301 includes a router 307 supporting communications for an emergency headquarters 320 (which may include, for example, emergency personnel and/or emergency systems). The existing network infrastructure 301 includes a cellular backhaul node 308 and an associated base station 309 supporting communications for one or more other 911-NOW mesh networks 330₁-330_N (i.e., one or more other standalone 911-NOW networks established at remote emergency sites).

The existing network infrastructure 301 supports communications for 911-NOW mesh network 100. The existing network infrastructure 301 may support communications between wireless user devices 104 of 911-NOW mesh network 100 (e.g., complementing wireless mesh communications between 911-NOW nodes 110 of the standalone 911-NOW network 100). The existing network infrastructure 301 may support communications between wireless user devices 104 of 911-NOW mesh network 100 and other emergency personnel and/or emergency systems. For example, existing network infrastructure 301 may support communications between wireless user devices 104 of 911-NOW mesh network 100 and an emergency headquarters 320, one or more other 911-NOW mesh networks 330 (e.g., at emergency sites remote from emergency site 101), and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 3, in addition to supporting one or more wireless access interfaces, one or more wireless mesh interfaces, and one or more wireless management interfaces, each 911-NOW node 110 supports one or more wireless backhaul interfaces supporting communications between 911-NOW nodes 110 and existing network infrastructure (illustratively, existing network infrastructure 301). The wireless backhaul communications between 911-NOW nodes 110 and existing network infrastructure 301 are supported using wireless backhaul connections 314 established between 911-NOW nodes 110 and existing network infrastructure 301. The wireless backhaul connections 314 may be provided using one or more wireless technologies, such as GSM, GPRS, EV-DO, UMTS, HSDPA, WiFi, WiMAX, microwave, satilite, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

Thus, the mesh networking capabilities provided by 911-NOW nodes 110, in combination with backhaul networking capabilities provided by 911-NOW nodes 110 using wireless backhaul connections with existing network infrastructure 301, enable communications between emergency personnel at one emergency site (e.g., between users connected to 911-NOW nodes 110 of a standalone 911-NOW mesh network), between emergency personnel at different emergency sites (e.g., between users connected to 911-NOW nodes 110 of different standalone wireless mesh networks), between emergency personnel at one or more emergency sites and emergency management personnel (e.g., users stationed at emergency headquarters 320), and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict communication scenarios for communications between users at an emergency site and an emergency headquarters using the integrated 911-NOW communication network architecture of FIG. 3. Although primarily depicted and described with respect to communications between a user at an emergency site and emergency headquarters, the communication scenarios depicted and described with respect to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B may also be used to support communications between users at different emergency sites, where existing network infrastructure (including existing wireless and wireline infrastructure as depicted and described with respect to FIG. 3) provides backhaul connections between the emergency sites.

As depicted in FIG. 4A (a single-hop case), a user 102 at emergency site 101 communicates with emergency headquarters 320 (e.g., with emergency personnel and/or emergency systems) by communicating with a 911-NOW node 110 (i.e., the 911-NOW node 110 functions as a wireless connection point for the user device 104 of user 102). The 911-NOW node 110 at the emergency site supports wireless backhaul communications between 911-NOW node 110 and existing wireless network infrastructure 301 which, as described with respect to FIG. 3, provides a connection to the Internet 306 in order to provide an end-to-end communication path between the wireless user device 104 of user 102 at emergency site 101 and emergency headquarters 320.

As depicted in FIG. 4B (a multi-hop case), a user 102 at emergency site 101 communicates with emergency headquarters 320 (e.g., with emergency personnel and/or emergency systems). The wireless user device 104 communicates with a first 911-NOW node 110 (i.e., the first 911-NOW node 110 functions as a wireless connection point for the user device 104 of user 102). The first 911-NOW node 110 supports wireless mesh communications between the first 911-NOW node 110 and one or more other 911-NOW nodes 110 in order to transport communications between the first 911-NOW node and existing wireless network infrastructure 301 which, as described with respect to FIG. 3, provides a connection to the Internet 306 in order to provide an end-to-end communication path between the wireless user device 104 of user 102 at emergency site 101 and emergency headquarters 320.

Thus, 911-NOW nodes 110 may each support four different types of wireless interfaces. The 911-NOW nodes 110 support one or more wireless access interfaces by which user devices 104 may access 911-NOW nodes 110. The 911-NOW nodes 110 support one or more wireless mesh interfaces by which 911-NOW nodes 110 communicate with other 911-NOW nodes 110. The 911-NOW nodes 110 support one or more wireless backhaul interfaces by which 911-NOW nodes 110 communicate with existing network infrastructure (such as existing network infrastructure 301 of FIG. 3). The 911-NOW nodes 110 support one or more wireless management interfaces by which network administrators may manage the 911-NOW-based wireless network.

FIG. 5 depicts a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of a 911-NOW node. As depicted in FIG. 5, 911-NOW node 110 includes a functions module 501, a processor 540, a memory 550, and support circuit(s) 560 (as well as various other processors, controllers, modules, storage devices, support circuits, and the like required to support various functions of 911-NOW node 110). The functions module 501 cooperates with processor 540, memory 550, and support circuits 560 to provide various functions of 911-NOW node 110, as depicted and described herein).

The functions module 501 includes a wireless functions module 509, a core (CORE) networking functions module 520, and a services module 530. The wireless functions module 509 includes a radio access network (RAN) functions module 510 and, optionally, a wireless interface module 515. The CORE networking functions module 520 provides CORE networking functions. The services module 530 provides one or more services. The RAN functions module 510 (and, when present, wireless interface module 515) communicate with both CORE networking functions module 520 and services module 530, and CORE networking functions module 520 and services module 530 communicate, to provide functions depicted and described herein.

As depicted in FIG. 5, processor 540 controls the operation of 911-NOW node 110, including communications between functions module 501, memory 550, and support circuit(s) 560. The memory 550 includes programs 551, applications 552, support data 553 (e.g., user profiles, quality-of-service profiles, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof), and user data 554 (e.g., any information intended for communication to/from user devices associated with 911-NOW node 110). The memory 550 may store other types of information. The support circuit(s) 560 may include any circuits or modules adapted for supporting functions of 911-NOW node 110, e.g., power supplies, power amplifiers, transceivers, encoders, decoders, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

The wireless functions module 509, CORE networking functions module 520, and services module 530 cooperate (in combination with processor 540, memory 550, and support circuits 560, and any other required modules, controllers, and the like, which are omitted for purposes of clarity) to provide a rapidly deployable wireless node which may form: (1) a single-node, standalone wireless network; (2) a multi-node, standalone wireless network (i.e., using wireless mesh connections between 911-NOW nodes); or (3) an integrated wireless network (i.e., using wireless backhaul connections between one or more 911-NOW nodes and existing network infrastructure and, optionally, using wireless mesh connections between 911-NOW nodes).

The RAN functions module 510 provides RAN functions. The RAN functions include supporting one or more wireless access interfaces for communications associated with wireless user devices. Specifically, RAN functions module 510 supports a plurality of air interfaces (AIs) 511₁-511_N (collectively, AIs 511). The AIs 511 provide wireless access interfaces supporting communications associated with wireless user devices. For example, AIs 511 may support functions typically provided by a base transceiver station (BTS).

The RAN functions module 510 provides control functions. The control functions may include any control functions typically performed by controllers in radio access networks. For example, the control functions may include functions such as admission control, power control, packet scheduling, load control, handover control, security functions, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. For example, in one embodiment the control functions may include functions typically performed by RAN network controllers (RNCs) or similar wireless network controllers.

The RAN functions module 510 provides network gateway functions. The network gateway functions may include any functions typically performed in order to bridge RAN and CORE networks, such as IP session management functions, mobility management functions, packet routing functions, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. For example, where intended for use with CDMA2000-based wireless technology, the network gateway functions may include functions typically performed by a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN). For example, where intended for use with GPRS-based and/or UMTS-based wireless technology, the network gateway functions may include functions typically performed by a combination of a GPRS Gateway Support Node (GGSN) and a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN).

In one embodiment, RAN functions module 510 may be implemented as a base station router (BSR).

The wireless interface module 515 provides one or more wireless interfaces. The wireless interfaces provided by wireless interface module may include one or more of: (1) one or more wireless mesh interfaces supporting communications with other 911-NOW nodes; (2) one or more wireless backhaul interfaces supporting communications with existing network infrastructure; and/or (3) one or more wireless management interfaces supporting communications with one or more management devices. The wireless interface module 515 supports a plurality of air interfaces (AIs) 516₁-516_N (collectively, AIs 516), which provide wireless interfaces supporting communications associated with one or more of: one or more other 911-NOW nodes, existing network infrastructure, and one or more management devices.

The CORE networking functions module 520 provides networking functions typically available from the CORE network. For example, CORE networking functions module 520 may provide authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functions, domain name system (DNS) functions, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) functions, call/session control functions, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. One skilled in the art knows which functions are typically available from the CORE network. The CORE networking functions module 520 is adapted to provide core networking functions independent of any existing network infrastructure.

The services module 530 provides services. The services may include any services capable of being provided to wireless user devices. In one embodiment, for example, services module 530 may provide services typically provided by application servers, media servers, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. For example, services may include one or more of voice services, voice conferencing services, data transfer services (e.g., high-speed data downloads, high-speed data upload, file transfers, sensor data transfers, and the like), video services, video conferencing services, multimedia services, multimedia conferencing services, push-to-talk services, instant messaging services, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. One skilled in the art knows which services are typically available over RAN and CORE networks. The services module 530 is adapted to provide services independent of any existing network infrastructure.

FIG. 6 depicts a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of a functional module of the 911-NOW node of FIG. 5. As depicted in FIG. 6, functions module 501 includes wireless functions module 509, CORE networking functions module 520, and services module 530. The wireless functions module 509 includes a base station router (BSR) 610 and, optionally, a wireless interface module 615. The wireless functions module 509 communicates with CORE networking functions module 520 and services module 530, and CORE networking functions module 520 and services module 530 communicate.

The BSR 610 includes a base station (BS) 612, a radio network controller (RNC) 613, and a network gateway (NG) 614. The BS 612 includes a plurality of air interfaces (AIs) similar to AIs 511 depicted and described with respect to FIG. 5. The BS 612 communicates with RNC 613. The RNC 613 communicates with NG 614. The BSR 610 supports any functions typically supported by a base station router.

The wireless interface module 615 may include one or more of: a wireless management interface module 616 including one or more AIs supporting wireless communications with one or more management devices, a wireless mesh interface module 617 including one or more AIs supporting wireless communications with one or more other 911-NOW nodes, and a wireless backhaul interface module 618 including one or more AIs supporting wireless communications with existing network infrastructure.

In one embodiment, a 911-NOW node 110 may be implemented without wireless interface module 615 (e.g., if the 911-NOW node 110 is not expected to require support for wireless mesh, backhaul, or management communications). In other words, support for the additional wireless interfaces of wireless interface module 615 is optional.

In one embodiment, a 911-NOW node 110 is implemented such that wireless interface module 615 includes a subset of: wireless management interface module 616, wireless mesh interface module 617, and wireless backhaul interface module 618. In this embodiment, the implementation of the wireless interface module 615 may be tailored depending on the type(s) of wireless interfaces that the 911-NOW node 110 is expected to need when deployed, i.e., depending on whether the 911-NOW node 110 will require wireless management, mesh, and/or backhaul capabilities.

In one embodiment, a 911-NOW node 110 is implemented such that wireless interface module 615 includes each of: wireless management interface module 616, wireless mesh interface module 617, and wireless backhaul interface module 618. In this embodiment, the 911-NOW node 110 supports wireless management, mesh, and backhaul capabilities such that such additional wireless interfaces are available should the 911-NOW node 110 require such capabilities.

In one embodiment, for example, for a 911-NOW node only expected to be deployed as a single-node, standalone network, wireless interface module 615 may only include wireless management interface module 616 (since mesh and backhaul support is not required). In one embodiment, for example, for a multi-node, standalone network, wireless interface module 615 may only include wireless management interface module 616 and wireless mesh interface module 617 (since backhaul support is not required). In one embodiment, for example, for an integrated network, wireless interface module 615 may include each of wireless management interface module 616, wireless mesh interface module 617, and wireless backhaul interface module 618 (since management, mesh, and backhaul capabilities are all required).

The CORE networking functions module 520 includes a plurality of modules supporting CORE networking functions. As depicted in FIG. 6, CORE networking functions module 520 includes an AAA module 621 providing AAA functions, a DNS module 622 providing DNS functions, a DHCP module 623 providing DHCP functions, a call/session control module 624 providing call control functions and/or session control functions, and may include various other modules supporting various other networking functions typically available from the core network (represented by other CORE networking functions module 629).

The services module 530 includes a plurality of modules supporting various services. As depicted in FIG. 6, services module 530 includes a voice services module 631, a data services module 632, a video services module 633, a multimedia services module 634, and may include various other modules supporting various other services (represented by other services module 639). As described herein, such services modules may support various different services such as voice calls, voice conferencing, data transfers, streaming video, video conferencing, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

Although primarily depicted and described herein with respect to a specific configuration of a 911-NOW node including three modules providing wireless functions (including RAN functions and, optionally, additional wireless interfaces and associated interface functions), CORE networking functions, and services, respectively, 911-NOW nodes may be implemented using various other configurations for providing wireless functions, CORE networking functions, and services. Similarly, although primarily depicted and described herein with respect to a specific configuration of a functions module providing specific wireless functions, CORE networking functions, and services, functions modules of 911-NOW nodes may be implemented using various other configurations for providing wireless functions, CORE networking functions, and services.

Therefore, it is contemplated that at least a portion of the described functions may be distributed across the various functional modules in a different manner, may be provided using fewer functional modules, or may be provided using more functional modules. Furthermore, although primarily depicted and described with respect to specific wireless functions (including RAN functions and, optionally, one or more additional wireless interface functions), CORE networking functions, and services, it is contemplated that fewer or more wireless functions (including RAN functions, optionally, and one or more additional wireless interface functions), CORE networking functions, and/or services may be supported by a 911-NOW node. Thus, 911-NOW nodes are not intended to be limited by the example functional architectures depicted and described herein with respect to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 depicts a method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, method 700 of FIG. 7 includes a method for deploying, configuring, and using a rapidly deployable wireless node (such as a 911-NOW node depicted and described herein). Although primarily depicted and described with respect to one rapidly deployable wireless node, multiple rapidly deployable wireless nodes may be deployed, configured, and used as depicted and described with respect to FIG. 7. Although depicted and described as being performed serially, at least a portion of the steps of method 700 of FIG. 7 may be performed contemporaneously, or in a different order than depicted and described with respect to FIG. 7. The method 700 begins at step 702 and proceeds to step 704.

At step 704, a rapidly deployable wireless node is placed on a mobile vehicle. The rapidly deployable wireless node may be permanently affixed to the mobile vehicle, temporarily affixed to the mobile vehicle (i.e., affixed in a way that the rapidly deployable mobile node may be easily detached from the mobile vehicle if necessary or desired), or simply placed in the mobile vehicle (e.g., carried onto the mobile vehicle by personnel to be transported on the vehicle). The rapidly deployable wireless node supports RAN functions (and, optionally, one or more additional wireless interfaces), at least one CORE networking function, and at least one service. For example, the rapidly deployable mobile node may be a 911-NOW node depicted and described herein.

At step 706, the mobile vehicle, including the rapidly deployable wireless node, is transported to a site. The transportation of the mobile vehicle to the site varies depending on the type of vehicle. For example, the vehicle may be driven to a site, flown to a site, and the like. The site may be any site at which a rapidly deployable wireless node may be desirable. For example, the site may be an emergency site (where the mobile vehicle is an emergency vehicle such as a fire truck, a hazmat vehicle, and the like), the site may be a battlefield site (where the mobile vehicle is a military vehicle such as a humvee, a tank, and the like), and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

At step 708, the rapidly deployable wireless node is configured to support communication at the site. In one embodiment, the rapidly deployable wireless node may be automatically configured to support communications at the site. At step 710, the rapidly deployable wireless node supports communications at the site. At step 712, method 700 ends. Although omitted for purposes of clarity, eventually, the mobile vehicle leaves the site (e.g., to provide support at a different site or to return to headquarters from which the mobile vehicle was dispatched). For example, a fire truck returns to the fire station after the fire is out, a tank returns to command headquarters after the battle is over, and the like.

FIG. 8 depicts a high-level block diagram of a general-purpose computer suitable for use in performing the functions described herein. As depicted in FIG. 8, system 800 comprises a processor element 802 (e.g., a CPU), a memory 804, e.g., random access memory (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM), a 911-NOW module 805, and various input/output devices 806 (e.g., storage devices, including but not limited to, a tape drive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, a receiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, an output port, and a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, and the like)).

It should be noted that the present invention may be implemented in software and/or in a combination of software and hardware, e.g., using application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a general purpose computer or any other hardware equivalents. In one embodiment, the present 911-NOW process 805 can be loaded into memory 804 and executed by processor 802 to implement the functions as discussed above. As such, 911-NOW process 805 (including associated data structures) of the present invention can be stored on a computer readable medium or carrier, e.g., RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive or diskette, and the like.

The 911-NOW network enables emergency personnel to communicate mission-critical information on a rapidly-deployable, highly-flexible, secure wireless network. The 911-NOW network is a fully integrated service architecture that may be deployed as a single-cell solution for local communication or configured as an ad-hoc network of cells for widespread communication (e.g., for multiple localized or large emergency sites). The 911-NOW network supports auto-configuration, wireless mesh networking, interoperability with existing systems and technologies, network service and management function, and various other features, functions, and capabilities, thereby providing a cost-efficient solution that is scalable and flexible to emergency response needs, as well as spatial and temporal network deployment scenarios.

The 911-NOW network may be deployed in support of multiple missions in emergency response and disaster recovery operations, such as first responder communications, search and rescue operations, restoration of local cellular service, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof. In such scenarios, applications which may be supported by the 911-NOW network include basic voice communications, push-to-talk, database access capabilities, file transfer applications (e.g., to provide access to floor plans, emergency exits, elevator shafts, chemical storage rosters, hazardous material handling instructions, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof), alert messaging broadcasts, streaming video, location tracking (e.g., of people, vehicles, and the like), sensor monitoring applications (e.g., temperature, air composition, radiation, and the like), biometric monitoring applications (e.g., breathing, pulse, and oxygen tank sensors that transmit information about the health of emergency personnel, and the like).

The 911-NOW network provides numerous functions, including assured access and reliable communications anywhere and at any time, capacity and coverage on-demand for mobile incident area networks, standards-compliant air interface technologies and network interoperability through IP interfaces, efficient local communication in the absence of fixed network infrastructure including integrated services architecture for full stand-alone network operation, wireless backhaul capabilities to fixed public and/or private network(s), wide-area coverage through wireless mesh networking, reachability and robustness through flexible multi-path routing, converged multimedia communication capabilities (e.g., with voice, high-speed data, video, and like communication capabilities) and the like.

The 911-NOW network provides security features. The 911-NOW network provides triple-layered wireless network security to protect the network operator, network elements, and user devices. For example, 911-NOW nodes may include advanced security tools such as air interface complexity, cryptographic authentication, encryption, scrambling, link-layer assisted security protocols, and the like, may be implemented in the 911-NOW network in order to deter technical fraud, information eavesdropping, session hijacking, and other potential security vulnerabilities. The 911-NOW nodes may support various other security measures associated with RAN functions (and additional wireless interface functions), CORE networking functions, and services provided by 911-NOW nodes, thereby resulting in a highly secure 911-NOW network.

The described features, functions, and capabilities of the 911-NOW network thereby enable increased situational awareness at emergency sites and situational awareness of emergency sites by emergency management personnel at remote emergency management sites (i.e., headquarters), communication between emergency sites as well as between emergency sites and emergency headquarters, and various other desirable results. The operation of a 911-NOW network may be better understood with respect to FIG. 1, which depicts an example of a 911-NOW network, as well as FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which depict example communication scenarios using the 911-NOW network of FIG. 1. The operation of a 911-NOW node which enables the 911-NOW network may be better understood with respect to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

Although primarily depicted and described herein with respect to using rapidly deployable nodes (such as 911-NOW nodes depicted and described herein) to deploy a wireless network in emergency response situations, rapidly deployable nodes may be used to deploy a wireless network in various other situations. In one embodiment, rapidly deployable nodes may be used in large-crowd environments. For example, rapidly deployable nodes may be deployed during large-crowd events, such as sporting events (e.g., in a city hosting the Super Bowl, in a city hosting the Olympics, and the like), concerts, and the like. In one embodiment, rapidly deployable nodes may be used as a rapid replacement network for commercial cellular networks (i.e., to replace existing network infrastructure while such infrastructure is unavailable). In one embodiment, rapidly deployable nodes may be used in military environments (e.g., to form a rapidly deployable network on the battlefield or in other situations).

Therefore, rapidly deployable nodes according to the present invention are useful for various other applications in addition to emergency response applications, and, thus, may be deployed in various other situations in addition to emergency situations. Thus, the term “emergency site”, which is used herein to denote the geographical location in which one or more rapidly deployable nodes may be deployed to form a wireless network, may be more commonly referred to as a “network site” (i.e., the site at which the rapidly deployable wireless network is deployed to support wireless communications). Similarly, other terms primarily associated with emergency applications may be referred to more generally depending upon the application in which rapidly deployable nodes are deployed. In other words, any number of rapidly deployable nodes according to the present invention may be deployed to any geographical location to form a wireless network for any reason.

It is contemplated that some of the steps discussed herein as software methods may be implemented within hardware, for example, as circuitry that cooperates with the processor to perform various method steps. Portions of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product wherein computer instructions, when processed by a computer, adapt the operation of the computer such that the methods and/or techniques of the present invention are invoked or otherwise provided. Instructions for invoking the inventive methods may be stored in fixed or removable media, transmitted via a data stream in a broadcast or other signal bearing medium, and/or stored within a working memory within a computing device operating according to the instructions.

Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network, comprising:

means for providing radio access network (RAN) functions comprising at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function;

means for providing at least one core networking function; and

means for providing at least one service;

wherein the apparatus is adapted for being deployed using a mobile platform;

wherein the apparatus is adapted for providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one air interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless access communications for user devices.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for providing at least one additional wireless interface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one additional wireless interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless mesh communications.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one additional wireless interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless backhaul communications with an existing network infrastructure.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one additional wireless interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless management communications with a management device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for providing RAN functions comprises a base station router (BSR).

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one core networking function comprises at least one of an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) function, a domain name service (DNS) function, a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) function, and a call/session control function.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one service function comprises at least one of a voice application, a voice conferencing application, a data application, a video application, and a video conferencing application.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile platform comprises a vehicle.

11. A method for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network, comprising:

communicating information using a network element, wherein the network element is adapted to support radio access network (RAN) functions, at least one core networking function, and at least one service;

wherein the RAN functions comprise at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function;

wherein the network element is adapted for being deployed using a mobile platform;

wherein the network element is adapted for providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one air interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless access communications for user devices.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the network element is further adapted to support at least one additional wireless interface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one additional wireless interface comprises at least one of at least one interface supporting wireless mesh communications, at least one interface supporting wireless backhaul communications with an existing network infrastructure, and at least one interface supporting wireless management communications with a management device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one core networking function comprises at least one of an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) function, a domain name service (DNS) function, a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) function, and a call/session control function.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one service comprises at least one of a voice application, a voice conferencing application, a data application, a video application, and a video conferencing application.

17. A method for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network, comprising:

placing a node on a mobile platform, wherein said node supports radio access network (RAN) functions, at least one core networking function, and at least one service, wherein the RAN functions comprise at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function, wherein the node is adapted for providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure; and

directing the mobile platform to a network site at which the rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network is to be formed.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

configuring the node to support communications at the network site.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

supporting communications associated with at least one wireless user device at the network site using the node.

20. An apparatus for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network, comprising:

a base station router providing radio access network (RAN) functions comprising at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function;

a wireless interface module providing at least one of a wireless mesh interface, a wireless backhaul interface, and a wireless management interface;

a core networking functions module providing at least one core networking function; and

a services module providing at least one service;

wherein the apparatus is adapted for being deployed using a mobile platform;

wherein the apparatus is adapted for providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure.

21. An apparatus for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network independent of existing network infrastructure, comprising:

a base station router providing radio access network (RAN) functions comprising at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function;

a wireless interface module providing at least one wireless mesh interface, at least one wireless backhaul interface, and at least one wireless management interface;

a core networking module providing at least one core networking function; and

a services module providing at least one service;

wherein the apparatus is adapted for being deployed using a mobile platform;

wherein the apparatus is adapted for selecting between providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure and providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service using backhaul connectivity to an existing network infrastructure.