Base stations placement optimization in wireless networks for emergency communications

Disaster relief operations rely on the rapid deployment of wireless network architectures to provide emergency communications. Future emergency networks will consist typically of terrestrial, portable base stations and base stations on-board low altitude platforms (LAPs). The effectiveness of network deployment will depend on strategically chosen station positions. In this paper a method is presented for calculating the optimal proportion of the two station types and their optimal placement. Random scenarios and a real example from Hurricane Katrina are used for evaluation. The results confirm the strength of LAPs in terms of high bandwidth utilisation, achieved by their ability to cover wide areas, their portability and adaptability to height. When LAPs are utilized, the total required number of base stations to cover a desired area is generally lower. For large scale disasters in particular, this leads to shorter response times and the requirement of fewer resources. This goal can be achieved more easily if algorithms such as the one presented in this paper are used.