Dynamic channel and transmit-power adaptation of WiFi mesh-networks in search and rescue operations

For search and rescue (SAR) missions in emergency and disaster scenarios, unmanned robotic technologies offer an opportunity to save human lives and speed up the rescue process. Communication among the unmanned devices and with the command and control station plays a key role in detecting, locating, and rescuing affected persons. To establish this communication network, ease of deployment provided by the wireless communication paradigm makes it a suitable technology in any SAR mission. Lack of any infrastructure support in a disaster hit area means that the wireless network needs to be a self-organizing network of mobile devices that embodies cognitive features enabling it to adapt to the dynamics of the operational environment. To this end, we develop a framework for cognitive management and control of the WiFi mesh-networks for use in SAR operations. We propose dynamic channel and transmitpower adaptation algorithms that do not require any modification of the underlying device driver or firmware. For control signaling we can use either in-band signaling essentially using the WiFi network, or a dedicated robust narrow-band radio network. Where the latter option may be preferred in harsh propagation environments like in SAR scenarios. Effectiveness of the proposed scheme is illustrated with results from implementation with commercial of the shelf components.