Hybrid Connectivity as a Service (HCaas) – ESA CSC: Connectivity & Secure Communications

Objectives

Hybrid Connex addresses global objectives set out within core emergency and urgent healthcare services.

It provides emergency services (Ambulances) and mission critical verticals with fast, fully-optimised connectivity to cloud services wherever a vehicle is deployed, and: 

Improves quality of care and operational efficiency
Reduces unnecessary conveyance to hospital
Allows paramedics more time to examine, evaluate and treat patients
Streamlines system and device integration
Enhances connectivity to enable effective:
- “Make Ready” ambulance systems and monitoring of vehicles/fleet management systems
- Transfer of data
- Remote telemedicine and real-time access to care pathways – the ability to consult with specialists in real-time, for better support and decision-making while a patient is in transit
Address key recommendations within the Lord Carter Review, Including:
- The development of a more digital ambulance to tackle pressures on urgent care departments.
- The need for greater Ambulance staff support, and a call for Ambulances to return to the forefront of technological innovation and effective fleet management.

Hybrid-ConneX links the core concepts within the report by providing on-the-road failover communications across NHS Trusts and integrated care pathways, using the latest satellite and cellular technology and a universal data system that connects and monitors the fleet.

Challenges

Designing an HCM product from in two years that is for purpose and completes all necessary certification testing for deployment on an ambulance.
Delivery of a product that is fit for and future-proof to the ambulance and emergency healthcare sectors, especial in light of the Lord Carter Review, while also enabling transition into wider, and international, markets.
The creation of a product that can be taken to market within a two-year duration, from scratch.
Managing and completing validation from the development stage through to demonstration of the HCaaS connected ambulance.
Potential competition, and a restricted global presence of the Consortium.

System Architecture

The “Hybrid-ConneX” product combines a hardware platform (Hybrid Communications Module) and a fully managed service (Hybrid Communications as a Service). Hybrid-ConneX integrates High Throughput Satellite (HTS) satellite, 4G, WiFi and 5G networks to provide a single, secure connection for all medical equipment and paramedics on the ambulance. 

The HCM provides the necessary computing resource for the hybrid communications software (RazorLink Smart Networking) and the management entity (Hybrid-X Manager) that presents the ambulance crew with visibility on the Hybrid-ConneX system through the Hybrid-X field portal Graphical User Interface.

Depending upon the configuration, the HCM may be incorporated in a 19” rack alongside multiple cellular modems, an ethernet switch, firewall security and a V-Sat Modem.

The HCaaS framework offers control and access to information held on third party cloud services, for example those used by satellite and cellular providers to manage their services. This structure offers central management of the field systems WAN services and real time status and utilisation data.

Plan

The Hybrid-ConneX project is undertaken over four phases (Definition, Technology, Product and Demonstration) and the duration is 24 months from kick off.

The project has been split into a number of milestones to occur roughly every 3 months with ESA as follows: