Integration of Advanced Wireless Edge Networking Technology to Provide Unparalleled Connectivity for First Responders
First responders across Australia will now have uninterrupted communications in disaster situations thanks to rapid network infrastructure and kinetic mesh technology.
The exciting news comes after AirBridge Networks, a leading provider of Rapid Network Infrastructure solutions integrated its ARNI™ unit with Rajant Corporation’s Kinetic Mesh® intelligent edge network technology. The strategic technology enhancement aims to deliver robust and reliable communication networks for disaster response teams, ensuring seamless connectivity in the most challenging environments.
Strategic Enhancement for Disaster Response
ARNI™, designed to offer quick and dependable connectivity in emergency situations, will now leverage Rajant’s intelligent edge networks to provide even greater resilience and flexibility. Rajant’s technology is renowned for its ability to create self-healing, mobile wireless networks that maintain continuous connectivity, making it ideal for dynamic and unpredictable disaster scenarios.
“By incorporating Rajant’s intelligent edge network technology, we are significantly boosting the capabilities of our ARNI™ solutions,” said Doug Stephens, CEO of AirBridge Networks. “This integration allows us to offer our clients a communication network that is not only highly reliable but also adaptable to the ever-changing conditions of disaster response operations.”
Rajant’s intelligent edge technology leverages their Kinetic Mesh® network that utilise BreadCrumb® wireless nodes and InstaMesh® software to establish a peer-to-peer network that can dynamically adjust to movement and environmental changes. This ensures that first responders can communicate effectively, share real-time video from drones and body cameras, and relay critical information without interruption.
“AirBridge Networks’ commitment to enhancing disaster response through innovative technology aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver intelligent edge network solutions that enable the industrial applications that customers need,” said Troy McKay, Director of Asia Pacific at Rajant Corporation. “We are proud to partner with them to bring our advanced edge networking solutions to the front lines of emergency management.”
Comprehensive Benefits of Kinetic Mesh® Technology in ARNI™
The integration of Rajant’s intelligent edge network technology into ARNI™ solutions introduces a range of transformative benefits for disaster response teams. One of the standout advantages is the ability to deliver real-time aerial surveillance through drone video feeds. This capability enables responders to gain a comprehensive view of disaster zones, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making in critical situations.
In addition to aerial surveillance, the enhanced ARNI™ systems support live streaming from on-person cameras worn by first responders. This feature significantly improves situational awareness by providing response teams with immediate visual insights from the ground, fostering better coordination and safer operations in chaotic environments.
Another key benefit is the extended network coverage made possible through information relay points. These relay points ensure connectivity reaches remote or infrastructure-damaged areas where traditional communication systems often fail. By bridging these gaps, Kinetic Mesh technology keeps response teams connected, no matter how isolated or challenging the location.
Finally, the integration ensures clear and uninterrupted audio communications, a vital component for seamless team coordination. Whether responders are spread across a disaster site or operating in noisy, high-pressure conditions, Rajant’s self-healing mesh network maintains reliable voice channels, reducing the risk of miscommunication and enhancing operational efficiency.
Integration Capabilities
The integration of Rajant’s intelligent edge technology into ARNI™ solutions brings a wide array of benefits, leveraging the full spectrum of its capabilities:
- Real-time Video and Data Feeds: Supports live streaming from drones and body cameras, delivering high-quality video for improved situational awareness in disaster zones.
- Seamless Audio Communications: Ensures clear, uninterrupted voice coordination among response teams, even in areas with damaged infrastructure.
- Extended Network Coverage: Utilises information relay points to expand connectivity into remote or hard-to-reach areas, maintaining network integrity over large distances.
- Self-Healing Network Resilience: Automatically reroutes data through alternative paths if a node fails or is obstructed, ensuring continuous operation without manual intervention.
- Scalability for Large Teams: Allows rapid addition of nodes to accommodate growing numbers of users or devices, supporting large-scale response efforts effortlessly.
- Mobility Without Compromise: Maintains connectivity as responders, vehicles, or drones move, adapting instantly to changing positions without signal loss.
- Interference Resistance: Operates effectively in environments with high radio frequency noise or physical obstructions, using multiple frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz) for robust performance.
- Low Latency for Critical Operations: Provides near-instantaneous data transmission, crucial for time-sensitive decision-making and coordination.
- Multi-Network Integration: Seamlessly connects with existing ARNI™ satellite systems (e.g., Vocus Satellite – Starlink), creating a fully integrated network for both local and wide-area coverage.
- Adaptability to Harsh Conditions: Proven in extreme environments like wildfires and floods, Kinetic Mesh thrives where traditional networks fail, complementing ARNI™’s rugged design.
- Energy Efficiency: BreadCrumb® nodes are designed for low power consumption, extending operational time in the field when paired with ARNI™’s portable power solutions.
- Secure Communications: Features military-grade encryption (AES-CCMP, TKIP) to protect sensitive data, ensuring compliance with public safety standards.
Real Applications in Disaster Response
These enhanced capabilities translate into practical applications that empower first responders:
- Aerial Surveillance: Real-time drone video feeds provide comprehensive views of disaster zones for assessment and planning.
- On-Ground Monitoring: Live feeds from wearable cameras improve team visibility and accountability.
- Command Center Connectivity: Relay points bridge communication between field teams and central operations, even in infrastructure-damaged areas.
- Dynamic Resource Allocation: Scalable and mobile networks adapt to shifting priorities, ensuring resources are deployed effectively.
- Rapid Deployment: Lightweight BreadCrumb® nodes can be mounted on drones, vehicles, or personnel, aligning with ARNI™’s rapid-setup ethos.
Technical Synergies
The combination of ARNI™’s satellite-based wide-area connectivity and Rajant’s local mesh edge networks creates a hybrid communication solution that addresses both broad and localised needs in disaster response. Rajant’s BreadCrumb® nodes are compact, lightweight, and can be deployed on drones, vehicles, or personnel, offering flexibility that complements ARNI™’s rapid-deployment ethos. Additionally, Rajant’s military-grade encryption ensures secure data transmission, critical for sensitive public safety operations.
A notable example of Rajant’s effectiveness is its deployment during the Maui wildfires in August 2023, where LX5-2255C BreadCrumb® nodes expanded Wi-Fi coverage by tenfold in days, reconnecting a region with severe communication failures. This case study illustrates the potential for ARNI™ to achieve similar results in disaster scenarios, enhancing community resilience and response efficiency.
About AirBridge Networks
AirBridge Networks specialises in delivering enterprise-grade network solutions across various industries, with a particular focus on disaster response and recovery. Their ARNI™ product line, including models like ARNI™ Control, Flex, Deploy, Extend & Air is designed to provide rapid, high-performance connectivity in remote and challenging environments. Powered by advanced technologies like Vocus Satellite – Starlink and supported by partnerships with industry leaders, AirBridge Networks ensures that essential services remain operational during crises. The company manages over 3,000 network assets across 850+ sites in Australia, serving sectors such as Local Government, Healthcare, Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining.
About Rajant Corporation
Rajant Corporation is the intelligent edge network technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh® networking, BreadCrumb® wireless nodes, and InstaMesh® networking software. With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy highly adaptable and scalable edge network solutions that leverage the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. With successful deployments in more than 80 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, energy, manufacturing and logistics, municipalities, agriculture, and more, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and Twitter.
