Wireless Networking Extends High-Speed Internet to Remote Academic Sites in Southern California

limbing microwave towers on wind-swept mountain peaks is part of the job for research scientist Hans-Werner Braun from the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Braun and his team trek up rugged ridges, climb radio towers, and engage in creative engineering to link remote Native American learning centers, astronomical observatories, nature reserves, and seismic sensor sites to the super-fast wireless communications network they are building in southern California’s backcountry. "Researchers have sped up Internet access, but they haven’t brought access everywhere," said Braun, principal investigator of the High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (HPWREN). "We’re focused on connecting remote science and education sites, and exploring ways in which this technology may be applicable for rapidly deployable emergency communications."

HPWREN-Connected Seismic Sensors Concentrating his research on the San Jacinto fault zone, geophysicist Frank Vernon uses HPWREN in conjunction with the ANZA Broadband Seismic Network, a 24-bit broadband real-time telemetry network in southern California. Specifically, HPWREN-connected seismic sensors consist of Streckeisen STS-2 seismometers with Reftek 24-bit broadband digitizers linked to the central multiplexing and relay site on Toro Peak in the Santa Rosa mountains.

With the help of a $2.3 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, Braun and his team of technical whizzes are bringing the 45 megabits-per-second (Mbps) HPWREN connectivity to some of the remotest corners of San Diego County where such high speed access would otherwise be unimaginable. The high-speed wireless microwave network runs from SDSC on the Pacific coast to the mountains east of San Diego. Digital signals zip between microwave towers, antennas, and relays situated on ridges, in valleys, and on the peaks of local mountains such as Mount Laguna, Mount Soledad, Red Mountain, and Mount Palomar.

The HPWREN team sets up links from remote research and education site antennas pointed toward mountain relays–often using solar-powered equipment because electricity is not always available. Sometimes the researchers even rely on diesel generators and car batteries to power network connections. "The steep valleys and rugged terrain make it hard to keep a clear line of sight between each wireless connection point," said Braun. But these rugged areas are where the research team is challenged to bring the network, which encompasses about 2,500 square miles.

Field Science and Remote Education Sites The National Science Foundation-funded High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (HPWREN) spans approximately 2,500 square miles in San Diego County.

ECOLOGY APPLICATIONS

Spanning more than 4,000 acres, the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve is nestled between the Santa Ana Mountains in northeast San Diego County. Until last year, remote access to real-time field data at the reserve was only a dream. However, scientists working at the biologically diverse area are now connected to the HPWREN backbone. They also have the capability of linking into the same network from their labs throughout the world to access the data being collected by field instruments in the reserve. Biologists monitor animal calls and other wildlife activity such as bat sonar–without being at the reserve. Water quality and hydrology sensors along the Santa Margarita watershed allow hydrologists to remotely measure parameters such as water acidity and pressure. Cameras at Santa Margarita, linked to the network, give researchers glimpses of mountain lions, golden eagles, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. "Field study is not what it used to be," said Sedra Shapiro, executive director of the Field Station Programs at San Diego State University (SDSU). "We used to think of field biologists with a backpack and binoculars, but now we have very sophisticated computer technology supporting our field studies."

"Santa Margarita’s connection to HPWREN is changing the ways in which we conduct science at our four field stations," said Shapiro. "This high-speed connection also gives us the power to efficiently disseminate information to our students, nearby landowners, government agencies, and policy makers."

REAL-TIME GEOPHYSICS

Today’s seismologists can view activity from the Earth’s interior as it occurs–enabling scientists from around the world to gain extensive insight into the often-elusive patterns of seismic waves. However, current seismic research techniques don’t provide enough information to determine the exact causes and effects of earthquakes.

HPWREN co-principal investigator Frank Vernon, a researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s (SIO) Cecil and Ida Green Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP), is taking real-time data collection and distribution one step further. "HPWREN enables field scientists like myself and others to send and receive continuous real-time data from remote research stations," said Vernon. "This lets us collect and distribute data sets that we wouldn’t have access to otherwise.

"For example, current monitoring systems do not have enough coverage for understanding the detailed three-dimensional fault structure of the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults. HPWREN’s availability in hard-to-reach areas provides us with the ability to conduct more detailed studies of fault zone structure and seismic wave activity, which in turn will provide seismologists around the world with more accurate data."

HIGH-SPEED ASTRONOMY

More than 50 years have passed since astronomers first started observing the night sky with the Palomar Observatory’s 48-inch Oschin telescope, which was recently connected to HPWREN’s 45 Mbps backbone. Coupled with the Oschin’s sophisticated digital camera, the high-speed network connection allows researchers to transmit near-real-time images from the observatory to astronomers worldwide. The images are primarily used for near-Earth asteroid research and supernova detection.

"This high-speed connection allows us to easily access data-intensive archival systems, which was really cumbersome–and often impossible–with a 56 kilobits-per-second dial-up modem," said Steve Pravdo, project leader for the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program at Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. "These archives let us compare current images with past images in near-real-time, which means that we are more efficient in our efforts to discover and confirm potentially dangerous asteroids."

Images captured by NEAT cameras are also used by researchers with the international collaboratory project called the Nearby Supernova Factory, which includes scientists from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), the Laboratoire de Physique Nucléaire et de Hautes Energies de Paris, the Institut de Physique Nucleaire de Lyon, and the Centre de Recherche Astronomique de Lyon. "Our goal is to discover nearby supernovae and study them in detail so that they can be used more effectively as cosmological distance indicators," said Greg Aldering, a staff scientist at LBNL and project leader for the Nearby Supernova Factory.

This real-time connectivity is also crucial to astronomers at Mount Laguna Observatory east of San Diego. Remote observing at the observatory has not only broadened its user base, but has also opened significant research and educational opportunities as global astronomy projects proliferate. "SDSU astronomers are routinely using HPWREN to transfer astronomical images and spectra to campus, to other astronomers in the California State University system, to our partners at the University of Illinois, and to other collaborators worldwide," said Paul Etzel, director of Mount Laguna Observatory. "Data are therefore received by research astronomers in a timely fashion, unlike the previous 56 kilobits-per-second modem connection, which had been our only data line serving the remote, eastern part of San Diego. In fact, prior to HPWREN, it was faster to write the data to tape and drive with them to San Diego or even Illinois."

HPWREN is also central to the observatory’s formulation and success of future projects. For instance, SDSU is currently building a high-speed frame-transfer Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera so that astronomers can better study rapid variations in cataclysmic variable stars. This new CCD camera at Mount Laguna Observatory will take two-megabit images every 0.10 to one second and produce approximately 100 gigabits of data during a typical eight-hour on-target observing sequence. HPWREN’s 45 Mbps transfer rate will allow Mount Laguna Observatory astronomers and their collaborators to access this real-time data throughout the world.

REMOTE EDUCATION

In collaboration with the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA), the HPWREN team has been working to connect the learning centers of the 18 Native American reservations in San Diego County to the high-speed Internet. Originally linking the Pala, Rincon, and La Jolla tribes to HPWREN, the research team is now helping the SCTCA connect the remaining tribes to the Tribal Digital Village Network (TDVNet), which is funded by a grant from Hewlett-Packard Co.

"This technology transfer is being conducted by in-kind replacements of the equipment back to HPWREN, and assuming TDVNet ownership of what had been deployed earlier," said Braun. "This transfer of equipment ownership also includes educating TDVNet staff with the expertise that they need to design, build, configure, and operate a high performance wireless data network."

"HP is very pleased with the progress made by the TDV team in the last few months," added Sukumar Srinivas, the original Hewlett-Packard executive responsible for the TDVNet grant to the SCTCA. "The level of competence in dealing with the HPWREN technology and the enthusiasm for creating their own infrastructure is very encouraging from the viewpoint of sustainability of this project beyond the HP grant."

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

In addition to connecting remote field science and education sites, the HPWREN team has also been exploring ways in which low-power wireless technology can be applied to crisis- and incident-management applications. For instance, the HPWREN team recently participated in a UCSD demonstration of a temporary multimedia installation of seismic and visual instrumentation on the Coronado Bridge, which spans San Diego Bay. The installation provided wireless Internet Protocol (IP) access, using off-the-shelf, commercially available 802.11b technology, from the bridge to the UCSD campus, where participants examined incoming data and discussed the feasibility of a permanent networked monitoring system of this type. The system would specifically be used for UCSD research aimed at the crisis management community. The primary goals of the activity were to assess the feasibility and discuss the added value of such a networked monitoring system for UCSD research and involved government agencies.

Crisis-Management Demonstrations In addition to connecting field science and remote education sites, the High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (HPWREN) team is examining ways in which the technology may be applied to crisis-management situations in San Diego County. The National Science Foundation-funded HPWREN project utilizes the unlicensed microwave spectrum, operating at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz.

Another recent HPWREN demonstration involved a group of local San Diego government agencies and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego (SSC San Diego). Specifically, the exercise examined the feasibility of incorporating real-time images and maps into incident management situations–utilizing the DARPA-funded ENCOMPASS software package.

The exercise took place at a National Guard Armory located in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego. Creating a simulated scenario involving a chemical spill that required assistance from multiple agencies, SSC San Diego and HPWREN researchers demonstrated the use of high performance wireless communications and Web-based interfaces. The network linked SDSC to the California National Guard Armory via a nearby hospital rooftop relay. "This exercise allowed us to evaluate an Internet-based data sharing scheme, where multiple agencies could view tailored perspectives of the same incident in real-time," said Steve Murray of SSC San Diego’s Crisis/Consequence Management Initiative team.

"The drill also gave us a chance to recognize the importance of applications like crisis management within the world of wireless communications," said Braun.

An additional crisis management demonstration included local California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighters. While HPWREN researchers provided the wireless networking expertise, the firefighters coordinated logistics for the rapid-response exercise. The activity focused on the feasibility of using tripod-mounted antennas and other wireless technology as a means of high-speed Internet connectivity during rural fire incidents.

DIRT ROADS AND HIGH SEAS

One of HPWREN’s primary collaborators is another research project funded by the NSF: the Real-time Observatories, Applications, and Data management Network (ROADNet). Building upon existing HPWREN infrastructure, ROADNet allows researchers to collect, post, analyze, and retrieve data from seismic stations, lowland river watersheds, bridges, mountainous watersheds, observatories, ocean buoys, and research vessels.

"This prototype repository will allow us to observe many aspects of the environment in near-real-time and provide the data in a very flexible manner to a variety of scientists and decision-makers," said John Orcutt, ROADNet principal investigator and acting dean of marine sciences and deputy director of SIO. "Historic-
ally, there have been many technological and institutional barriers to sharing environmental data. We are working to remove at least the technological barriers to accessing real-time environmental information."

The HPWREN and ROADNet teams recently collaborated for a wireless demonstration involving SeaLab II, a United States Navy/SIO undersea habitat that operated August through October in 1965. First, the Navy Deep Submergence Unit (USN-DSU) brought their ship, the Kellie Chouest, and the remotely operated vehicle Scorpio to the waters off Scripps pier. "The purpose of our trip was to reconnoiter the SeaLab II site for a possible live broadcast and Webcast through UCSD," said Kevin Hardy, director of SIO’s Centennial Program and organizer of the test dive. "In doing so, we brought the shared history of the U.S. Navy and Scripps alive, explored cooperative research opportunities between Scripps, UCSD, and the USN-DSU, and we tested new communication technologies embodied in the HPWREN link between the Kellie Chouest and Scripps pier. We succeeded in all three objectives."

NETWORK MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS

With applications from field science and remote education to crisis management, one can easily understand why HPWREN offers the perfect testbed for network measurement and analysis. While field scientists and remote educators use the high-speed wireless network for their research and education applications, the HPWREN team busily conducts network measurement and analysis research on both backbone and access links.

The network researchers not only constantly evaluate performance via quantitative methods, but also work closely with the diverse group of HPWREN users, routinely asking them for qualitative feedback. If anything goes wrong, the HPWREN team is determined to get to the bottom of the problem and learn from it.

When strong winds recently damaged part of an antenna support and disrupted the HPWREN connection to Mount Laguna Observatory, Braun and his team didn’t waste any time going up the mountain, finding the problem, and fixing it–fast.

"We’re trying to build value with the network," explained Braun. "We want users to see what the network offers them, and we want to find out if the network really is a quantum leap above the technology they used before HPWREN–even if it means climbing a few mountains." –KMB, LM