Escaping the Dead Zone: a Bottleneck in Humanitarian Ionospheric Radio Communications

Ben A. Witvliet

doi:10.1109/GHTC53159.2021.9612415

Escaping the Dead Zone: a Bottleneck in Humanitarian Ionospheric Radio Communications

Ben A. Witvliet

Radio Systems

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

407 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

High Frequency (HF) radio communications are used in humanitarian work in areas where local networks are non-existent, or destroyed by natural disaster or human conflict. Direct point-to-point communications are realized over long
distances, independent of local networks, using the ionosphere as a natural high-altitude reflector. HF ionospheric radio is essential for humanitarian organizations delivering basic healthcare in poor and remote areas. Normally, with proper frequency planning, ionospheric radio will easily connect all field teams in a contiguous area with a radius of 200-400 km. However, in recent years humanitarian organizations reported a “Dead Zone” that occurs at a short distance from the base, with good reception at larger distances. This local communication blackout causes a security hazard to the field crews. This paper investigates the phenomenon, and makes an inventory of its possible causes and drivers.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2021 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)
Publisher	IEEE
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	978-1-6654-3372-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/GHTC53159.2021.9612415
Publication status	Published - 30 Nov 2021
Event	11th IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, IEEE-GHTC 2021 - Virtual Conference Duration: 19 Oct 2021 → 22 Oct 2021 Conference number: 11

Conference

Conference	11th IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, IEEE-GHTC 2021
Abbreviated title	IEEE-GHTC 2021
City	Virtual Conference
Period	19/10/21 → 22/10/21

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

HF
ionosphere
Dead Zone
humanitarian
radio communication
antennas

Access to Document

10.1109/GHTC53159.2021.9612415

Manuscript GHTC-2021 Witvliet Dead-Zone (accepted)Accepted author version, 867 KB

Cite this

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title = "Escaping the Dead Zone: a Bottleneck in Humanitarian Ionospheric Radio Communications",

abstract = "High Frequency (HF) radio communications are used in humanitarian work in areas where local networks are non-existent, or destroyed by natural disaster or human conflict. Direct point-to-point communications are realized over long distances, independent of local networks, using the ionosphere as a natural high-altitude reflector. HF ionospheric radio is essential for humanitarian organizations delivering basic healthcare in poor and remote areas. Normally, with proper frequency planning, ionospheric radio will easily connect all field teams in a contiguous area with a radius of 200-400 km. However, in recent years humanitarian organizations reported a {\textquotedblleft}Dead Zone{\textquotedblright} that occurs at a short distance from the base, with good reception at larger distances. This local communication blackout causes a security hazard to the field crews. This paper investigates the phenomenon, and makes an inventory of its possible causes and drivers.",

keywords = "HF, ionosphere, Dead Zone, humanitarian, radio communication, antennas",

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language = "English",

booktitle = "2021 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)",

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N2 - High Frequency (HF) radio communications are used in humanitarian work in areas where local networks are non-existent, or destroyed by natural disaster or human conflict. Direct point-to-point communications are realized over long distances, independent of local networks, using the ionosphere as a natural high-altitude reflector. HF ionospheric radio is essential for humanitarian organizations delivering basic healthcare in poor and remote areas. Normally, with proper frequency planning, ionospheric radio will easily connect all field teams in a contiguous area with a radius of 200-400 km. However, in recent years humanitarian organizations reported a “Dead Zone” that occurs at a short distance from the base, with good reception at larger distances. This local communication blackout causes a security hazard to the field crews. This paper investigates the phenomenon, and makes an inventory of its possible causes and drivers.

AB - High Frequency (HF) radio communications are used in humanitarian work in areas where local networks are non-existent, or destroyed by natural disaster or human conflict. Direct point-to-point communications are realized over long distances, independent of local networks, using the ionosphere as a natural high-altitude reflector. HF ionospheric radio is essential for humanitarian organizations delivering basic healthcare in poor and remote areas. Normally, with proper frequency planning, ionospheric radio will easily connect all field teams in a contiguous area with a radius of 200-400 km. However, in recent years humanitarian organizations reported a “Dead Zone” that occurs at a short distance from the base, with good reception at larger distances. This local communication blackout causes a security hazard to the field crews. This paper investigates the phenomenon, and makes an inventory of its possible causes and drivers.

KW - HF

KW - ionosphere

KW - Dead Zone

KW - humanitarian

KW - radio communication

KW - antennas

U2 - 10.1109/GHTC53159.2021.9612415

DO - 10.1109/GHTC53159.2021.9612415

M3 - Conference contribution

BT - 2021 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)

PB - IEEE

T2 - 11th IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, IEEE-GHTC 2021

Y2 - 19 October 2021 through 22 October 2021

ER -

Escaping the Dead Zone: a Bottleneck in Humanitarian Ionospheric Radio Communications

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

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