Cross-Layer Design to Maintain Earthquake Sensor Network Connectivity After Loss of Infrastructure

TL;DR

This paper introduces a cross-layer protocol for earthquake sensor networks that maintains connectivity and data transmission even when traditional infrastructure is destroyed, ensuring critical early warning and data collection.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel adaptable cross-layer network design using BLOS HF technology for resilient earthquake sensor networks without infrastructure.

Findings

Achieves ultra high connectivity (UHC) for early warning within strict deadlines.

Supports seismic data collection from 1000 sensors under worst-case conditions.

Maintains network functionality after infrastructure loss.

Abstract

We present the design of a cross-layer protocol to maintain connectivity in an earthquake monitoring and early warning sensor network in the absence of communications infrastructure. Such systems, by design, warn of events that severely damage or destroy communications infrastructure. However, the data they provide is of critical importance to emergency and rescue decision making in the immediate aftermath of such events, as is continued early warning of aftershocks, tsunamis, or other subsequent dangers. Utilizing a beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) HF physical layer, we propose an adaptable cross-layer network design that meets these specialized requirements. We are able to provide ultra high connectivity (UHC) early warning on strict time deadlines under worst-case channel conditions along with providing sufficient capacity for continued seismic data collection from a 1000 sensor network.