Network Relief Activity with Cognitive Wireless Network for Large Scale Disaster

On March 11, 2011, a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean nearby Northeastern Japan causing damage with blackouts, fire, tsunami and nuclear plant crisis. A devastating tsunami swept over cities and farmland in the northern part of the country and set off warnings as far away the west coast of the United States and South America. Recorded as 9.0 on the Richter scale, it was the most powerful quake ever to hit the country. Because of this large scale disaster, communication network was break down in wide area of the Northern Japan, and the coast side was especially heavily damaged. The disconnection of communication system brought serious problems for rescue and evacuation, and it was also caused the delay of the activities. This paper is the report of network relief activities for reactivating communication system in the coast side of Iwate Prefecture, and it is discussed about what kinds of requirements is needed for such a large scale disaster. With our activities, electricity and fuel are seriously needed at the first. Then, satellite system was effective for reactivating network connection in the severe disaster area.