Communication Assistance Technology over

Ad Hoc Networks (CATAN)

Andrew Weinert – MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Objective: Enabling information sharing and collaboration among responders and survivors in disasters

Vision Situation Awareness and CATAN Communications Node

Build “unity of effort without unity of command” Collaboration Environment • Interface between field and backhaul to Ethernet
• Situation awareness and collaboration over copper (EoC)
DoD
Leaders
Military Asset environment • Front end (to responders and survivors)
Civilian Asset – Simple to use – Wi-Fi and GSM (cell phone)
USAID
Sensors – Distributed collaboration • Back end (to other nodes or backhaul to EOC)
DoS • Open source – Satcom
USCG • Open architecture – Radios
. – Distributed access – Boosted Wi-Fi
.
Communications • Cloud-based platform
. • Client server: manages connections/messages
• Bandwidth adaptive
Host
• Mobile and desktop
• Features
Nation
• Sensor feeds – Open-source design and code
Responders
• Maps and data layers
• Observed benefits
UN Analytics and Databases – Raspberry Pi running Linux OS
Bilateral Transportation • Real-time collaboration – “Picture is worth 1,000 words”
– Total cost: <$300
NGO/PVO
and Logistics Medical
and CBRN • Text chat – Improves essential human communication
– Ruggedized container, backpack portable
. • Field reports • Sketches, gestures, and speech
. • Apps – Adaptable and modular
. Engineering – Reduces foreign language barriers
• Tired-Dirty-Hungry interface • External port to GSM, radio (military, ham), Satcom
– Proven multiorganizational coordination
• Larger battery and a bigger antenna
– Lower costs, dramatically increase user base
• Share information across complex system – Intrinsic system adaptability https://github.com/mit-ll/CATAN

• Support local and reach-back operations

• Seamless military-civilian interoperability
• Common data spans tactical-strategic echelons
Comm Option 1: Satcom
Satellites
Option 2: Radio
Challenges Radio Communications
Face-to-Face
Preparedness Situation Awareness No Communication
Emergency
Operation Center CATAN
Communication
(Decide) Comm Node

Rest of
Responders Survivors Responders Survivors
World (Observe and Act) (Observe and Act) (Public)
(Public)

Telecom/ Telecom/
Japan “3.11” Tsunami Typhoon Haiyan
Internet Internet
(2011) (2013)

• Modeling and simulation • Sensing and analytics

• Gaming and exercises • Communications

Effective Collaboration
Survivor App Responder App
• Mobile connectivity with EOC (web-client)
• Report you are alive – Reporting from field
• Find friends and family – Tasking and situation awareness to field
– Store-and-forward in disadvantaged, limited, and intermittent (DIL)
• Request help
environments
• Request ability to volunteer
• Collaboration tools
• Receive messages and alerts – Map, whiteboard, and chat
– From responders (broadcast or – Field reports and pictures
direct message) – Survivor reports
– From other survivors
• Android and iOS
Haiti Earthquake • Gateway for other mobile sensors (Bluetooth)
(2010) – Laser rangefinder
– Environmental sensors

• Coordination ecosystem • Based on operationally deployed first responder mobile app

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Sponsored by ASD(R&E) This work was sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, ASD(R&E), under Air Force Contract No. FA8721-05-C-0002 and/or FA8702-15-D-0001.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASD(R&E).

509189.ai