Radio mesh networks

Inspiration

Underprivileged African countries struggle to obtain up-to-date or relevant information in a timely manner within areas with low network coverage or low smartphone use. Information sharing especially in such communities are urgently needed for various reasons. Critical information such as the need for emergency services, medical services or community related information can beneficial in saving lives, distributing much needed medical services such as medicines or keeping the community informed. FM radios already more popular and prevalent than smartphones in Africa. According to Afrobarometer and Statista, radios have the highest penetration rate than internet or smart devices due to its affordability and ease of use In the short term, community radio enables the local population to provide their own content akin to community radio in developed countries. In the longer term these local FM radio stations could provide a method for connecting these isolated communities with the wider world. This ability would be especially advantageous during regional disasters including Covid.

What it does

RAS (Radio Antenna System) is a crank pocket FM radio that also works as a battery pack to charge electrical devices and contain a flashlight to help users who have no electricity. Modular components allows ease of repair and customisiation Mesh system The lanyard around the radio will also act as a secondary antenna. The RDS circuit will decode the Program Type (PTY). When matched it users' pre-set config the radio will turn on automatically. The RDS circuit is the only component continuously switched on which ensures longer battery life. RAS also comprise multi-colour LEDs. Blinking RED for disaster, GREEN for user pre-set program.

How we built it

See (figure 1) in our powerpoint for a basic system overview of RAS. Ras will consist of an integrated FM and RDS receiver providing an analog audio signal suitable for amplification along with a digital interface to allow a micro control unit (MCU) to receive any RDS data. The low power MCU will be responsible for reading user input from the buttons and the accelerometer, tuning the receiver, controlling the audio amplifier volume and setting the user interface LEDs. The flash memory will serve as the ROM for the MCU.

Challenges we ran into

modularisation approach mesh networks batteries and component sourcing

Accomplishments that we're proud of

finding a way in creating a mesh network finding a way to design modularisation into radio

What we learned

We learned that internet is not prevalent in developing countries. Radios are used in a lot than smartphones. Education as a right is not always given and the reliances of traditional knowledge vs learned knowledge is there and needs elevated for optimisation and knowledge gain.