HyphaMESH extends critical connectivity miles into difficult wildland terrain where cellular and radio signals are not reliable.
Simulating typical operations, a HyphaREX Kit with LTE backhaul from the Cradlepoint IBR900 was staged at a strategic observation and communication location identified in Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs). The team bridged the HyphaMESH connection between Yerba Buena and Sepulveda Canyons, providing Wi-Fi access for firefighters from portable HyphaCAPs. From there, the first responders traveled 1.4 miles down the canyon out of sight of the SOG, maintaining secure, dedicated Wi-Fi access on their rugged smartphones.
Extended wireless internet access for Wi-Fi enabled devices
HyphaMESH provided wireless internet access deep into both Yerba Buena and Sepulveda Canyons, the first time either location had internet connectivity – important because this is a difficult area for LTE and VHF coverage.
A vehicle equipped with a HyphaNODE and a Cradlepoint IBR900 providing LTE backhaul was parked at the edge of known LTE coverage. From there fire/EMS personnel took their portable HyphaCAPs with Wi-Fi access and spread out to locations with no cellular and LMR coverage. The HyphaCAPs maintained connectivity up to a half mile away from each other, creating a secure, encrypted wireless mesh network.
Mesh network penetrates deep into dense forests
By breadcrumbing between multiple portable mesh HyphaCAPs down the trail through dense forest terrain into known coverage dead spots, responders accessed Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, tablets and laptops more than 2 miles away from the LTE backhaul at the vehicle.
No internet, no problem
HyphaMESH devices allow responders to communicate with no internet connection. With smartphones connected over Wi-Fi to the HyphaCAPs, first responders used the ATAK situational awareness application to edit and share wildland fire map perimeters and notes in real-time within the local area mesh network, communicating with each other without internet connectivity.
A HyphaNODE was temporarily fixed in a vehicle and connected to a Cradlepoint router leveraging backhaul from a satellite communications terminal on the roof. The vehicle was positioned in a parking lot at the Chantry Flat Trailhead where fire/EMS personnel were briefed on how to use the portable mesh HyphaCAPs. One group with HyphaCAPs and a HyphaNODE went uphill 1,000 feet from the parking lot near a helipad. Then a HyphaCAP was taken 0.3 miles down a winding jeep trail, a second HyphaCAP went further down into the canyon, and a third HyphaCAP was hung from a tree to bridge the connection even further. At all times, team members remained connected to the satellite backhaul and were able to share incident intelligence in real-time.
Mesh network penetrates deep into dense forests
First responders completed voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls and sent photos via text message in all locations when connecting their smartphones to a portable mesh HyphaCAP.
Access critical information in real-time
Armed with the portable mesh HyphaCAPs, firefighters and command staff could access real-time fire incident intelligence through FIRIS and the California Highway Patrol dispatch feed in areas known for limited LTE and LMR coverage.