Offline peer-to-peer communication system using ESP32 in the event of infrastructure failure

• Main Authors: Gabon, Seth D., Rom, Karl Simon Albert V., Ting, Felix Kyle L., III
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2023
• Subjects: Telecommunications system; Emergency communication systems; Peer-to-peer architecture (Computer networks); Computer Sciences; Databases and Information Systems
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_comtech/15; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdb_comtech/article/1010/viewcontent/Offline_peer_to_peer_communication_system_using_ESP32_in_the_even.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Given its geographical location, the Philippines is subject to numerous natural calamities on an annual basis. Occurrence of such events often impede wide-range telecommunication during and shortly after a disaster. In the event of such a failure, alternative devices for communication that function independent of telecom towers are a necessity to aid risk management and disaster response efforts. The focus of this research project is to design and implement a mesh messaging system that can be used during disaster response scenarios. The system consists of a network of portable devices that communicate with each other using the ESP32 System on a Chip (SoC) and a wireless mesh network. The mesh messaging system enables emergency responders to send and receive short messages, location information, and other critical data even when traditional communication networks are down. The wireless mesh network in this research project is configured to utilize the ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework) and ESP-WIFI-MESH API (Application Program Interface) by Espressif Systems, in addition to being interfaced with a 4x3 keypad and a 20x4 liquid-crystal display (LCD) for input and display purposes, and a power bank to power up the device. This would be the prototype setup of a Frontline, Relay, and Command Center unit within the mesh network, along with an operation runtime of 16 hours on active transmission and 6 hours on active receiving. The messaging system is able to be deployed in different environments and communicate on distances of up to 46 meters from nearby nodes with little difference in the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values. At its maximum recorded distance test (45.8 meters) and when operating in its Active mode, the ESP-WIFI-MESH is able to send and receive packets at a rate of 3.84 seconds with the RSSI clocking in at -90dBm. On average, the mesh network is able to receive a packet within 1 second at a distance of 12 meters. Aside from expanding coverage by increasing the number of nodes, proper placement and configuration of the relay unit’s external antenna would aid in maintaining communication among all nodes. Given a 12000mAh power supply, a single device is able to last up to nine days depending on the configuration set by its operator. Given these components in use, the costs come up to 1,238 PHP.