Researchers from Information Technology University, Lahore in conjunction with a team from University of California have developed an emergency and portable solar powered cellular network station. The station has been named “Rescue Based Station” (RBS).
The network station has been made to be deployed in areas where cell coverage is down due to natural or other unforeseen disasters. This station is meant to not only improve cellular coverage in those areas but to also improve and coordinate rescue operations. In an official statement, ITU Vice Chancellor and Project Supervisor, Umer Saif said: “When the RBS is installed in a disaster-struck area, people automatically start receiving its signals on their mobile phones. They can manually choose it and then call, send messages and even browse (internet) data free of charge.”
The device is a lightweight rectangular box with an antenna and is easily deployable on any solid terrain. Thanks to its Solar Panel, the device is fully independent and can operate for extended periods of time without any intervention.
The network from the RBS will be spread in a 3KM radius around the device and can be used by anyone in the area by simply sending their name, occupation, age and blood group to a particular number. The number will be auto transmitted to all cellphones in the area and would “help generate an automatic database of people in distress, and eventually helps both the rescue and relief teams and the victims.”
The device will operate on an open source software and is able to offer all the features that are normally found on a regular cellphone. The prototype costs about $6000 and was funded by the Google Faculty Research Award. The RBS team is now working with a US based company, Endaga in hopes to bring this technology into mass production. Hopefully, we will be able to see RBS in action and making a difference soon.
