A Connected Vehicle System with High-Availability and Low-Bandwidth Requirement for First Responders

Abstract

This paper presents design and implementation of a high-availability, low-bandwidth requirement vehicular and portable connectivity system which allows first responders to communicate relevant and timely information. Since first responders may often handle remote areas with challenging communication networks, the system developed addresses an important research question, namely, can a Connected Vehicle technology be developed that would optimize selection of the communication mode based on availability, signal strength, noise, and bandwidth? The system developed and tested supports reliable connectivity even in harsh environments allowing responders to provide information on the scene of incidents to others in or outside their organization. The system integrates computing and communications technologies, including smartphone and tablet systems, and software stacks to facilitate deployment. This paper provides background, system design, and implementation details of the field-ready Connected Vehicle as a First Responder Connected Vehicle/Portable (FRCVP) system both in terms of its hardware and its software. Experimental validation of the system’s Communications Arbiter is also presented. This paper presents a portable system which provides responders with cost-effective communications even in harsh communications environments. The system allows the responder to communicate incident details and resource needs using the most cost-effective communications channel available. This allows headquarters to dispatch the exact tools needed, thus minimizing cost and environmental impact while achieving the best response.