Analyzing Cell Phone Network Resilience in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Abstract

This thesis assesses the operational resilience of the wireless communication system in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and provides recommendations to protect this system from future disasters. We develop a model of the cellular phone network coverage in the USVI with the Terrain Integrated Rough Earth Model (TIREM)a Department of Defense and industry standard model for wireless signal assessment. We generate individual and composite coverage maps for each tower and each island to conduct parametric "what-if" analysis of tower failure on cellular service to geographic regions, critical facilities, and communities. Results estimate cell phone coverage during normal operations and in future disaster scenarios. We conclude with recommendations for hardening existing systems to improve network resilience to future disruptions.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2020
Accession Number
AD1114764

Entities

People

  • William M Wine

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • 4G Wireless Networks
  • Cellular Networks
  • Commerce
  • Communication Systems
  • Computer Networks
  • Computer Programming
  • Data Links
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Earth Models
  • Electromagnetic Wave Propagation
  • Emergency Response
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Geographic Regions
  • Mesh Networks
  • Mobile Communications
  • Mobile Phones
  • Network Protocols
  • Operations Research
  • Sensor Networks
  • Wireless Communications
  • Wireless Networks

Readers

  • Computer Networking
  • Maritime Security/Maritime Homeland Security
  • Radar Systems Engineering.