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U0networks : delivering timely audio and data alerts on a worldwide basis
Abstract U0Networks, a private company whose major holder is WorldSpace Corporation, is developing an alert system and will propose its customers to operate such a service, starting in summer 2005.
This effort has been started in October 2004, with the help of CNES (French Space Agency), prior the recent events of Dec. 26 th 2004, which pointed out the lack of adequate infrastructure for proper and timely warning of people and administrations.
Domains
- Meteorological Risks (storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, torrential rains, flash floods ..)
- Environmental Risks (tsunamis, pollutions, industrial risks, insects (locusts,..),)
- Health Risks (hunger, diseases (choleras),…)
- Safety/Security (fires, accidents (roads/rails/planes),..)
- Police/military Alerts
The Key Features
a single point of entry for a national, regional and multi-continental audio/data early warning and crisis communication system
- for audio and data, a Web site allowing on a per customer basis to generate alerts, geo-reference alerts, and broadcast them. For audio, the customer will be able to record and deliver immediately audio warnings throughout continents to designated receivers
- a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to ensure a strong authentication of the users and encryption of exchanged messages
- XML-based Alerts, allowing interoperability , evolution and multi-lingual
- a multi-channel delivery system, comprising mainly and initially the WorldSpace satellites (AfriStar/AsiaStar) and later on cellular and fixed telephone systems, fax and standard e-mail systems
- stand-alone, portable and cost-effective satellite-based alert terminals, working anywhere under the coverage of WorldSpace satellites (compatible with fixed and mobile usage), ensuring that audio or data alerts are received within 10 seconds anywhere after their submission and a full independency with terrestrial networks
WorldSpace Coverage
As an additional service and with the appropriate partnerships, U0Networks can also propose the full infrastructure allowing to gather measurements from the network of sensors using wireless telecommunications infrastructure (Argos, Inmarsat, SpaceChecker, standard GSM/GPRS,..) offering a single portal for a government, local national or international organizations.
The Web Access
U0Networks is developing a Web-based platform allowing the customer (the administrations) to manage their recipients, to generate alerts (for audio, a recording function will be offered) and to geo-reference the alerts thanks to a built-in GIS (Geographic Information System). It will also allow the customer to visualize on maps the current status of the terminals and the sensors. Specific user applications that would process the incoming alerts/messages from the various sensors could also be hosted .
Architecture Overview
The system will also offer in a second phase external interfaces (Web services), so that external alert systems could automatically and securely submit/retrieve alerts from the U0 platform for immediate dispatch and/or additional processing.
The terminals
The offer will initially focus on the satellite-based terminals. These terminals are of two types:
- a radio receiver : this receiver has the unique capability to lock only a predefined alert channel, like any standard radio system but with the main difference that it is dedicated and covers nations/Continents. The audio channel will only be available to designated receivers thanks to static encryption (narrowcast). It also has a USB interface allowing the customer to send along with audio additional data contents that can be received and processed on a standard laptop/PC.
 
The radio receiver with its mini-antenna
- a multimedia terminal : these terminals are Linux-based terminals providing a QVGA tactile screen and hosting a dedicated application for alerts. The terminal includes a built-in GPS and an optional GPRS/GSM system for acknowledgement and for alert generation. The geo-referenced alert is analyzed upon reception. If the position of the terminal is within the area defined in the alert, the buzzer is activated and details about the alerts are provided (including associated instructions and possibly relevant audio/image files). Terminals will be manufactured in India and in Europe. The terminals can be directly installed by the end-user (no professional required – no dish pointing).
 
The embedded terminal with the 10 cm WorldSpace antenna
The system will also be compatible with standard PC’s connected to WorldSpace terminals. Thanks to its XML structure, broadcast over other mediums such as SMS, fax, artificial voice (phones), and email systems will be provided in a second phase, offering a complete solution to our customers.
The model
Beside the cost of the terminal and a fixed fee to access the service, a monthly fee per terminal will be required. Regarding the data transmitted and for the WorldSpace-based broadcast solution, the cost per MByte will be independent of the number of intended recipients, making the satellite system a scalable and cost-effective (compared to other approaches such as SMS’s where a fee is incurred for each message transmitted) for early warnings as a soon as significant number of terminals need to be alerted.
The schedule
The first phase, consisting in the Web access and in delivering the embedded terminals, will be completed in April 2005 for audio and June 2005 for data. The second phase, will be completed prior end of 2005. For additional information, please contact the authors.
Name under registration by WorldSpace (subject to change)
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