Smart phone ad hoc network
Smart Phone Ad hoc Networks (SPANs) leverage the existing hardware (primarily Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) in commercially available smart phones to create peer-to-peer networks without relying on cellular carrier networks, wireless access points, or traditional network infrastructure. SPANs differ from traditional hub and spoke networks, such as Wi-Fi Direct, in that they support multi-hop relays and there is no notion of a group leader so peers can join and leave at will without destroying the network.
Features
- Capable of going off-grid and enabling peer-to-peer communications without relying on cellular carrier networks, wireless access points, or traditional network infrastructure.
- Optional Internet access through gateway devices, such as mobile hotspots in the mesh.
- Optional stationary or portable infrastructure such as routers, mesh extenders, or other non-phone hardware.
- Leverage the devices that people carry on their person and use everyday.
- Primarily use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi since the cellular spectrum is licensed and controlled by cellular providers and FCC regulations.
- Set up and tear down are on-demand. Join and leave at will.
- Routing protocol may be implemented at the Network Layer or Link Layer.
- Often requires rooting a device and making modifications to the operating system, kernel, or drivers.
- May result in profit loss by cellular carriers.
Use Cases
- Developing nations where network infrastructure doesn't exist.
- Protests where government entities monitor or disable network infrastructure.
- Natural disasters or terrorist incidents where existing network infrastructure is overloaded, destroyed, or compromised.
- Temporary Large-scale events such as festivals where huge scale is needed for short period of time
Projects
- The SPAN Project
- The Serval Project
- Commotion Wireless
- FireChat
- MapMe.io
- Locayt
Device Manufacturer Support
- iOS Multipeer Connectivity Framework[1]
Impact
- in Iraq following government restrictions on internet use, users use the technology to communicate[2][3]
- Hong Kong Protests in China used Firechat to communicate[4]
- Leaders of Anti-government protests in Russia in December 2014 urged their followers to install firechat[6]
See also
References
- ↑ Bonnington, Christina. "This Little-Known iOS Feature Will Change the Way We Connect". Wired. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ↑ Kuchler, Hannah; Kerr, Simon (22 June 2014). "‘Private internet’ FireChat app grows in popularity in Iraq". Financial Times. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ↑ Hern, Alex. "Firechat updates as 40,000 Iraqis download 'mesh' chat app in censored Baghdad". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ↑ Cohen, Noam. "Hong Kong Protests Propel FireChat Phone-to-Phone App". http://www.nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved 1 January 2015. External link in
|website=(help) - ↑ Shevardnadze, Sophie. "We've laid foundation to creation of completely new internet - FireChat developer". http://rt.com. Russia Today. Retrieved 1 January 2015. External link in
|website=(help) - ↑ Milian, Mark. "Russians Are Organizing Against Putin Using FireChat Messaging App". http://www.bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 1 January 2015. External link in
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