Dealing with emergencies by means of robust wireless communication
The SPEARS project (Scalable Personal Area Services) is developing a
communication system that links different types of wireless networks in a smart
manner. This new architecture is a necessity for establishing robust wireless
communication – a 'must' for dealing with emergencies. The platform is available
to external parties for test purposes.
Scalable PErsonal ARea Services
The Freeband programme focuses on the development of the next generation mobile
services and infrastructure. This third generation Internet technology enables
seamless connection of different types of mobile and wireless networks. This
translates into an attractive platform for new mobile services. Through this
platform, the user is granted access, by means of his terminal, to a number of
services and devices in his vicinity.
The services, tailored to the personal environment of the user, are referred to
as Personal Area Services. They will have applications in many sectors,
including healthcare, transport and logistics, and the home environment.
However, the network and terminal are not designed for the requirements of the
various applications. For this reason, there is an urgent requirement for a
generic Personal Area Services architecture that supports all applications.
Scalable and fit for demonstration
Using advanced wireless network technology, the SPEARS project will realise a
Personal Area Services architecture, which gives the user access to the desired
services in any situation. This architecture is scalable with regard to numbers
of users and types of services. In order to demonstrate the SPEARS concept, the
project will focus on improving the effectiveness of the communication and
coordination between rescue workers in emergency situations, where robustness
plays a major part.
Trends in mobile networks and terminals
The main focus of the third generation Internet is the integration of mobile
networks such as GPRS and UMTS, which provide access to the Wide Area Network
(WAN), and wireless systems such as WLAN and Bluetooth, which offer connections
on a local scale: the Personal Area Network (PAN). An important development in
this field is that of mobile ad-hoc networks. In these networks the tasks of
network management and routing of data traffic are shared between all the
participating elements in the network. There is no fixed infrastructure and no
central management. This makes the entire network extremely robust and gives it
extra flexibility. In the area of mobile terminals, developments are moving in
the direction of intelligent, interactive terminals. In addition to voice
support, these terminals offer advanced data-based services, such as Mobile
Internet information services, and ensure the exchange and reproduction of
digital multimedia files.
Activities associated with the SPEARS project
The SPEARS project develops and demonstrates scalable communication services via
robust wireless networks and for demonstration thereof uses the effective
communication between rescue workers in emergencies. The functionality of the
SPEARS platform is based on learning experiences in recent calamities and is
tuned to national scenarios for dealing with emergency situations.
The SPEARS platform acts as a test environment for services and technological
developments that fit in with the Freeband vision. An important part of SPEARS
is the realisation of an efficient link between wireless ad-hoc Personal Area
Networks and mobile Wide Area Networks. This link is realised through the
application of intelligent mobile terminals.
Project result
The result of the SPEARS project will consist of innovative knowledge and
experience with regard to the architecture, design aspects and operational
aspects of Personal Area Services platforms. This result will enable the Dutch
mobile services sector to respond quickly and effectively to opportunities for
new applications, and to specific user requirements.
- The industry will obtain an insight into new concepts, technological
solutions and evaluation results of services, network equipment and mobile
terminals.
- Mobile operators can count on the advancement of knowledge in the area of
Quality of Service and migration scenarios for networks.
- Content providers and services suppliers will obtain information regarding
the opportunities for new services on future platforms.
- In future, users will benefit from a wide range of flexible and robust
wireless (data) communication services.
The project is open to participation by new parties. These parties can use
the SPEARS platform to test, demonstrate and evaluate practical
user requirements and preferences. They can also use the SPEARS
platform to test their specific hardware or software components.
Participating parties
- KPN Research
- TNO Physics and Electronics Laboratory
Duration
August 2002 - april 2004
PProject Manager
Ing. B.C.B. Vermeulen (TNO Fysisch en Elektronisch Laboratorium)
Postbus 96864
2509 JC The Hague
The Netherlands
E-mail: vermeulen@fel.tno.nl
Tel.: +31 (0)70 374 03 46
