Wi-Fi based Telecommunication Infrastructure Delivered as a Service by UAV for Emergency Response

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In this paper we discuss Wi-Fi and complementary technologies that can be used to mitigate telecommunication gaps in search and rescue (SAR) activities and during natural disaster (ND) response scenarios. We present and evaluate a standalone communication system solution in a field experiment. It utilizes a fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to enable Wi-Fi based, audio-video communication between users equipped with a smartphone and the operation control center. We describe a custom, actuated, UAV payload that compensates the fixed-wing UAV’s bank angle for improved antenna pointing. Through a qualitative analysis, the field trials confirm the suitability of a UAV solution for SAR, using Wi-Fi and standard protocols available on most smartphones.