Emergency Communication System Based on Wireless LPWAN and SD-WAN Technologies: A Hybrid Approach

Abstract

Emergency Communication Systems (ECS) are network-based systems that may enable people to exchange information during crises and physical disasters when basic communication options have collapsed. They may be used to restore communication in off-grid areas or even when normal telecommunication networks have failed. These systems may use technologies such as Low-Power Wide-Area(LPWAN) and Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), which can be specialized as software applications and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms. In this article, we present a comprehensive discussion of the existing ECS use cases and current research directions regarding the use of unconventional and hybrid methods for establishing communication between a specific site and the outside world. The ECS system proposed and simulated in this article consists of an autonomous wireless 4G/LTE base station and a LoRa network utilizing a hybrid IoT communication platform combining LPWAN and SD-WAN technologies. The LoRa-based wireless network was simulated using Network Simulator 3 (NS3), referring basically to firm and sufficient data transfer between an appropriate gateway and LP-WAN sensor nodes to provide trustworthy communications. The proposed scheme provided efficient data transfer posing low data losses by optimizing the installation of the gateway within the premises, while the SD-WAN scheme that was simulated using the MATLAB simulator and LTE Toolbox in conjunction with an ADALM PLUTO SDR device proved to be an outstanding alternative communication solution as well. Its performance was measured after recombining all received data blocks, leading to a beneficial proposal to researchers and practitioners regarding the benefits of using an on-premises IoT communication platform.

Design and Evaluation of a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN)-Based Emergency Response System for Individuals with Special Needs in Smart Buildings

“…The incorporation of technology into emergency response systems is important, and the IoT holds significant potential for supplying sensitive information during rescue and relief efforts in the event of natural disasters. While the LPWAN has been successfully integrated into various intelligent environments like smart buildings, banks, agriculture, smart vehicles, traffic management, smart cities, healthcare, and sensitive infrastructure [ 5 , 8 , 9 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], its implementation has not been geared toward providing LPWAN-based emergency response systems for individuals with special needs on a smart campus. Furthermore, ad hoc networks have not been utilized to reduce the latency and enhance the reliability.…”

“…This transformation has led to the development of cost-effective networks with the capacity to cover large areas. One such network is the Long-Range (LoRa) network, which belongs to the family of low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) [ 5 , 6 ]. These cutting-edge technologies allow for the placement and maintenance of sensors using a low-power wide-area client, with a maximum range of 30 km in sensor network operational areas [ 7 ].…”

“…Smart classrooms, facial recognition-based attendance systems, and other small-scale solutions have been implemented on campuses. However, there is still no universal model for smart campuses, and the educational industry continues to benefit from digital technologies and smart applications that control various appliances and networked devices [ 5 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The proposed emergency response system can be utilized by anyone, including regular individuals.…”

Future Industrial Applications: Exploring LPWAN-Driven IoT Protocols

“…According to Figure 1 [ 5 ], we have found that current trends and future trends both show that wide area protocols and short-range protocols-supported devices are mainly used while cellular protocols-supported devices are comparatively less in use. Considerable research [ 8 , 9 , 10 ] has supported the idea that for broad areas and long ranges, primarily industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band-based LPWAN protocols are superior to cellular IoT protocols. Three of the key requirements of IoT technologies are low power consumption and long-range communication at low cost [ 11 , 12 ].…”