Researchers announcement advancements in disaster communications | 11.09.2008 | 19:35:30 | Views: 16636 | ID: November 10 '08: Researchers working on disaster response communication technologies have announced new advancements in understanding how radio frequencies behave in difficult areas such as collapsed buildings, mine shafts and tunnels, CNN reported. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology told the cable news channel that a "sweet spot" frequency has been found which allows radio communication to travel the farthest. "The sweet spot" CNN continued, "varies depending on a tunnel's dimensions. In a subway-sized tunnel, it is usually in the range of 400 megahertz to 1 gigahertz." In the past, mine disasters have been especially tragic for those working to save trapped workers underground because of a lack of communication between those on top of the ground and those below. Using certain types of communication and network technology such as Internet telephony, or VoIP, some technology firms are creating wireless networks within dangerous underground areas to help with communications. One division of L3, Global Security and Engineering Solutions has developed a 900 megahertz network which can "provide a real-time situational awareness capability" the company's website read. Most recently, in August, NIST announced it had created the mesh network and breadcrumb communication system using the 900 megahertz and the 2.4 gigahertz frequencies. NIST researchers said they would be willing to share the prototype technologies with businesses and groups working to further disaster communication technology. National Blueprint Tags: Intelligence & Situational Awareness, Economic & Infrastructure, Response & Containment.
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