All are invited to view the online thesis defence of Anthony Harris for Master of Science (Mathematical and Computational Sciences) on Wednesday, July 31, at 1 pm. 

Title of the Thesis: “Spatial Temporal Connection: A Disaster-Resilient Application-Level Protocol” 

Abstract:

We live in a digital age where communication networks are accessible from even the most remote locations on earth. Unfortunately, a side effect to this high availability is an increased dependency on centralized communication networks such as internet and cellular service providers. This reliance translates to more corporate oversight to handle the data processing and transmission, exposing us to governing, privacy and network fragility concerns in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

This thesis explores these centralized communication vulnerabilities through a disaster-resilient lens and proposes a novel solution in the form of an application-level protocol named Spatial Temporal Connection or STC. This protocol, when combined with the open-source, mobile Android application DewSTC, provides an ease-to-use messaging service when centralized networks fail.

Founded on the dew computing principles of Independence and Collaboration, DewSTC acts as both client and server, relaying local and neighboring user data in a delay-tolerant and ad hoc Bluetooth mesh network. Text messages can eventually reach their destination using the concept of movement-over-time without the need for cables, a constant power supply, or even pre-established connections.

While the protocol cannot guarantee message delivery, its routing architecture increases user autonomy, network adaptability and robustness during periods of limited to no connectivity.