SDR-Based Portable Open-Source GSM/GPRS Network for Emergency Scenarios

This paper presents the implementation of a fully portable and autonomous low-cost GSM/GPRS network based on SDR (Software Defined Radio). This solution uses a Raspberry Pi platform and a Blade-RF module as hardware components, and YateBTS as software component. The proposed solution by leveraging the growing capabilities in terms of processing and memory of low-power consumption platforms such as Raspberry Pi, and the flexibility of an SDR platform (Blade-RF and YateBTS), implements a reconfigurable communications system able to provide voice, messages and data services. The implemented network using open-source technologies, can be deployed in standalone mode or as part of an existing telecommunication infrastructure in realistic communication environments. Due to features such as: portability, energy autonomy, light weight, fast deployment and reconfigurability, the developed system can be applied in a variety of fields. Among the different application areas, relevant use cases are: communications services in emergency or natural disasters scenarios and relief services in search and rescue missions. In order to analyze the performance of the system, measures to assess the voice services, text messages and data services are carried out. Results reveal that this autonomous communications infrastructure is suitable for a rapid deployment of a complete mobile communication system, with low power consumption and a low-cost of investment and maintenance.