Simulating the Performance of Building Area Networks as a Communication Bridge to Emergency Responders.
Simulating the Performance of Building Area Networks as
a Communication Bridge to Emergency Responders.
(330 K)
Treado, S. J.; Holmberg, D. G.; Cook, S.
OPNETWORK. OPNET 2007. Proceedings. August 27-31,
2007, Washington, DC, 1-6 pp, 2007.
Keywords:
communication networks; building networks; first
responders; emergencies; emergency responders; radio
equipment; simulations; scenarios
Abstract:
This paper describes the development and use of OPNET
models to simulate the use of building network
infrastructures as a communication bridge between
emergency responders inside buildings and emergency
personnel outside of buildings. Emergency responders
frequency encounter encounter difficulties with radio
communication when located within buildings because of
the shielding effects of the structure. One possibility
for overcoming this problem is to use the existing
building network infrastructure-including, including
wireless access points, radio transceiver gateways and
the IT network, to provide a communication path from the
portable radios inside the building to the public safety
network outside the building. Methods for modeling such
a system were developed and quality of service issues
evaluated.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899