Date: Jan 15, 2006 Author: Patrick Hartary Source: MDA (
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by Patrick Hartary/phartary@nttc.edu
Victims of Hurricane Katrina have suffered unimaginable loss. In addition to the physical destruction of homes and property, the emotional toll will certainly be high. But one man and his MDA-funded technology helped hundreds of evacuees find peace of mind in the aftermath. His comfort tools: an inflatable satellite antenna shaped like a giant beach ball and an Internet connection.
An MDA-funded inflatable antenna enabled emergency satellite communications for displaced Mississippians in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Paul Gierow spent one week with those made homeless by the devastating winds and ensuing floodwaters—men, women, children, families, and law enforcement—at an elementary-school-turned-shelter in Woolmarket, MS. There, he and his brother-in-law deployed an innovative satellite communications antenna that inflates like a balloon.
Equipped with two computers, a small 1,000-watt portable generator, and access to a satellite, Gierow was able to deploy the antenna and establish a remote Internet connection—a priceless asset in a region whose telephone and electrical services were obliterated by Katrina. Dave Beering, a member of the technology development team at IGI, LLC, coordinated the satellite access with G2 Satellite Solutions. SRS Technologies, also a team member, provided antenna support.
Gierow's goal was simple: help people any way he could. So one by one, he did. Through his satellite link, Gierow helped the now-homeless evacuees—many with little or no money—access the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Web site and submit assistance request forms. He also e-mailed video clips and notes from the hurricane survivors to their friends and family. In all, he touched the lives of more than 250 families, providing great comfort at a time of great loss.
It's an uplifting anecdote in the history of the most destructive hurricane ever to hit the United States. But the story hasn't ended yet. In addition to its missile defense applications, the technology has significant potential for use in emergency communications and military operations. To pursue these markets, Gierow started a company that could begin producing units by as early as 2006.
Giant Beach Ball
Having spent decades designing inflatable space structures for a military contractor, Gierow has a knack for blowing up things. When the Department of Defense asked him to consider developing an inflatable antenna for terrestrial radar, he initially balked. "Do you want to see it blow down the street?" he replied.
An inside view of GATR's inflatable antenna shows the parabolic-shaped reflector membrane attached to the ball. Pressure is monitored on both sides of the reflector membrane by a sensor and a blower.
Gierow later received DOD funding to demonstrate the antenna concept and build a prototype. But without additional research and development, the technology literally wouldn't take shape.
In 2004, Gierow incorporated GATR Technologies, Inc. (Huntsville, AL); GATR stands for ground antenna transmit/receive. Soon after, he applied for an MDA SBIR Phase I contract to develop a fully functional satellite terminal using the antenna. For MDA, the technology could be used to establish satellite communications systems in remote areas such as Alaska. "GATR's technology is definitely applicable to reachback scenarios for quick communications," said Aaron Corder, the SBIR program monitor at MDA Ground-Based Midcourse Defense. "It provides a reduction in transportation logistics not currently present with rigid deployable antennas." For GATR, the SBIR funding would move the technology forward, perhaps far enough to interest a major customer.
What was developed looks like a giant beach ball and weighs approximately 70 pounds. Made of a proprietary synthetic material, it can fold into a special backpack or container. It is anchored to the ground using guy wires and stakes and inflated with a blower. Inside, a parabolic-shaped reflector membrane is attached to the ball. Pressure is monitored and maintained on both sides of the reflector membrane by a sensor and a blower. At the top of the ball, a feed assembly allows the mounting of amplifiers and modulators.
The 1.8-meter antenna is designed for X, Ku, and other bands. A lightweight mount holds the antenna and provides automated pointing and tracking.
Compared to conventional technologies, the new antenna design provides an order of magnitude of improvement in packaging efficiency and mass at a fraction of the cost, according to Gierow. Transmission power output is also important. In general, the larger the aperture of the antenna, the less transmission power it requires. So smaller antennas need to boost transmission power. But this can cause their transmissions to interfere with other satellites. Gierow's antenna provides the transmission power benefits of a large-aperture antenna, but with portability of a smaller antenna. Power needs are low: The antenna has been successfully operated for long periods using only a 1,000-watt off-the-shelf power generator.
Highly portable antennae for remote locations are in demand. The U.S. military needs this technology for secure communications from the battlefield. Federal, state, and local governments responding to acts of terrorism and natural disasters may look at it to establish emergency communications to coordinate relief and rescue efforts. Television broadcasters could use it for remote broadcasts because debris and damage may prevent support vehicles from traveling with reporters.
While travelling to Gulport, MS, Gierow got a firsthand look at many residential areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
GATR has teamed with IGI and SRS Technologies to further develop and market the antenna technology for DOD and emerging commercial applications. The company will be seeking Federal Communications Commission transmit approval for a commercial product to be launched in 2006. It is now looking for potential users to evaluate prototypes.
Comfort to Survivors
After Katrina, Gierow wanted to do something for the survivors. He quickly found himself at the doorstep of the local headquarters of the American Red Cross in Montgomery, AL. Although initially skeptical and concerned for his safety, the Red Cross eventually relented. Gierow was told to travel to Mississippi and set up his antenna at an elementary school in Gulfport. Along the way, he was rerouted to another elementary school in Woolmarket.
Gierow wasn't sure what to do once he arrived and set up his equipment at the school. Slowly, people came by his area. At first they asked questions about his gear. Then, someone asked him if he could contact one of his friends via e-mail. Using a small webcam device, Gierow created a small video of this person and his family telling their friend that they were safe. Once a satellite connection was established, he sent the video via e-mail.
Next, a woman upset by the lack of telephone service asked if Gierow could help her submit a FEMA assistance request form, which could be done only by telephone or through FEMA's Web site. Since neither was available, Gierow accessed FEMA's Web site and submitted her form. He then proceeded to submit forms for everyone else at the shelter, even the deputy sheriff stationed at the school. The deputy eventually called her fellow officers on the police radio and had them give their information to Gierow to submit online.
In another case, a woman approached Gierow and said that she had been in a retirement home and hadn't talked to her son in five years. Gierow found the son's Web site and e-mailed him. Five minutes later, he e-mailed back, saying that his sister was coming to Woolmarket to pick up his mother. Another woman had Gierow e-mail one of her friends in Iraq. Her friend contacted her shortly thereafter, saying that he had thought she hadn't survived the storm.
Wireless Networking
During his stay, Gierow tinkered with his system and was eventually able to set up a wireless router. Although he had only two computers, he says he could have set up a network of 20 computers and/or Internet phones.
A CBS radio reporter found Gierow's wireless network at the school. He asked if he could conduct live radio broadcasts using the setup. The reporter conducted two live interviews with Gierow during Los Angeles rush hour. "I could have used this on the Michael Jackson case," the reporter told Gierow.
With his supplies running out and no more forms to submit, Gierow returned home. He was excited that the technology not only proved itself, but was instrumental in helping so many people in need. Having submitted a Phase II SBIR proposal to MDA, Gierow is hoping to get the funds he needs to further develop the technology. "Everybody was impressed with the technology," Gierow said. "It's still in development, but there's a heck of a lot of product potential here."
