HSMM-MESHHSMM-MESH™™PRESENTATION FOR THE PRESENTATION FOR THE

ARES MEETING ARES MEETING Bill Wallace KC0TGYBill Wallace KC0TGY

Question?Question?How would you like to have a communications system for public agency use that could have;

• Wifi speed internet “type” service between selected locations

• net meeting with live audio and video between any locations

• e-mail service between any location on the network

• ability to send and receive any type of document as an attachment to an e-mail at current wifi speeds, and

• full error checking on all transmissions

Question?Question?How would you like to have a communications system for public agency use that could have;

• Supportable with emcomm battery power supplies

• Without the requirement of actual Internet access

• On Amateur Radio frequencies

• Without wires

For less than $300 per link

What is HSMMWhat is HSMM

► The HSMM name was coined by the ARRL to The HSMM name was coined by the ARRL to distinguish Amateur use of WiFi protocols by distinguish Amateur use of WiFi protocols by Amateur Radio Licenses. Amateur Radio Licenses.

► HHigh igh SSpeed peed MMulti ulti MMedia = edia = HSMMHSMM► HSMM Working Committee created as an ARRL HSMM Working Committee created as an ARRL

working group in 2001working group in 2001► Created to develop high speed (above 54 kbps) Created to develop high speed (above 54 kbps)

digital networks for the Amateur Servicedigital networks for the Amateur Service► Encourages the use of “off the shelf” consumer Encourages the use of “off the shelf” consumer

equipmentequipment

TermsTerms

Part 97 We know what this isPart 97 We know what this is► Part 15 Wifi rules and regulationsPart 15 Wifi rules and regulations► ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical Bands)ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical Bands)► 802.11 b/g WiFi802.11 b/g WiFi► Point-to-Point / Point-to-MultipointPoint-to-Point / Point-to-Multipoint► BDA (Bi-Directional Amplifier)BDA (Bi-Directional Amplifier)

BandsBands

2.39 Ghz 2.45 Ghz

2.45 Ghz2.40 Ghz 2.50 Ghz

Part 97 Amateur Radio

ISM ISM

BandsBands

2.45 Ghz2.40 Ghz 2.50 Ghz

2.39 Ghz

Part 97 Amateur Radio & ISM ISM

Channel UsageChannel Usage

Channel Number %of Total1 77 7.59%2 7 0.69%3 8 0.79%4 9 0.89%5 9 0.89%6 609 60.00%7 7 0.69%8 3 0.30%9 15 1.48%

10 22 2.17%11 249 24.53%

Total 1015

BandsBands

IEEE 802.11b Channels

Channel Low Freq. Center Freq. High Freq.

1 2.401 2.412 2.4232 2.406 2.417 2.4283 2.411 2.422 2.4334 2.416 2.427 2.4385 2.421 2.432 2.4436 2.426 2.437 2.4487 2.431 2.442 2.4538 2.436 2.447 2.4589 2.441 2.452 2.46310 2.446 2.457 2.46811 2.451 2.462 2.473

Power LimitsPower Limits

►Part 15 Unlicensed low power WifiPart 15 Unlicensed low power Wifi Maximum Transmitter Power Output (TPO) is Maximum Transmitter Power Output (TPO) is

1.0 watt or 30dBm1.0 watt or 30dBm The maximum EIRP power allowed is 36dBm The maximum EIRP power allowed is 36dBm (4 (4

watts) for Point to Multipointwatts) for Point to Multipoint Point to Point allows for much higher formula Point to Point allows for much higher formula

based EIRP (I think this is 6 watts)based EIRP (I think this is 6 watts)

Power LimitsPower Limits

►Part 97 Ham regulationsPart 97 Ham regulations Maximum Transmitter Power Output Maximum Transmitter Power Output

(TPO) is 100 watt or 50dBm(TPO) is 100 watt or 50dBm No EIRP limitsNo EIRP limits

dBm to WattsdBm to Watts

dB Watts dB Watts dB Watts0 1.0 mW 16 40 mW 32 1.6 W1 1.3 mW 17 50 mW 33 2.0 W2 1.6 mW 18 63 mW 34 2.5 W3 2.0 mW 19 79 mW 35 3.2 W4 2.5 mW 20 100 mW 36 4.0 W5 3.2 mW 21 126 mW 37 5.0 W6 4 mW 22 158 mW 38 6.3 W7 5 mW 23 200 mW 39 8.0 W8 6 mW 24 250 mW 40 10 W9 8 mW 25 316 mW 41 13 W

10 10 mW 26 398 mW 42 16 W11 13 mW 27 500 mW 43 20 W12 16 mW 28 630 mW 44 25 W13 20 mW 29 800 mW 45 32 W14 25 mW 30 1.0 W 46 40 W15 32 mW 31 1.3 W 47 50 W

(FAB-Corp)

EquipmentEquipment

► InexpensiveInexpensive►Higher PowerHigher Power►Modified FirmwareModified Firmware►High Power Amplifiers (BDAs) High Power Amplifiers (BDAs) Do Not UseDo Not Use►AntennasAntennas

RangeRange

►Ranges are normally in the 300 feet or Ranges are normally in the 300 feet or less range with currently available Part less range with currently available Part 15 equipment, but can be pushed 15 equipment, but can be pushed much farther with a non-part 15 much farther with a non-part 15 antenna.antenna.

►Range experiments are over 134 Range experiments are over 134 MILESMILES at sea in Italy, 79 at sea in Italy, 79 MILESMILES in in the California Coastal Mountains, 34 the California Coastal Mountains, 34 MILESMILES per leg in the Shenandoah per leg in the Shenandoah valley, 10 valley, 10 MILESMILES across Austin, Tx. across Austin, Tx.

SECURITY OF SIGNALSECURITY OF SIGNAL

► WEP and ENCRYPTION are acceptable to WEP and ENCRYPTION are acceptable to ARRL and FCC. “Not obscuring the ARRL and FCC. “Not obscuring the message, securing the message, password, message, securing the message, password, etc. etc.

► Is the control link to our repeater encrypted Is the control link to our repeater encrypted or password protected? Does this “obscure or password protected? Does this “obscure the meaning of the message”?the meaning of the message”?

► Planning to move the center frequency to in Planning to move the center frequency to in between channels. No one will see the between channels. No one will see the channel, NOT EVEN NET-STUMBLER, ETC.channel, NOT EVEN NET-STUMBLER, ETC.

Routers / Client CardsRouters / Client Cards

Linksys WRT54GL RouterModified Firmware250mW Max Output?(Linksys)

Z-Com XI-325HP+ External Antenna Connectors300mW Max Output(Pasadena Networks, LLC)

BDAs / AntennasBDAs / Antennas

2.4GHz BDA1W Max Output (Part 15)1.8W Max Output (Part 97)(FAB-Corp)

Comet Omni15.4 dBi (FAB-Corp)

AntennasAntennas

ARC Wireless Patch19 dBi Gain(FAB-Corp)

DieCast Parabolic Grid24dBi Gain(FAB-Corp)

HomebrewHomebrew

Pringles Cantenna(Spicey Cajun)12db Gain (est.)(Gregory Rehm)

Bi-quadAttached to DSS Dish27-31 dbi (est.)(Trevor Marshall)

UsesUses

►Digital Video with Remote ControlDigital Video with Remote Control►Emergency Data Communications (e-mail, Emergency Data Communications (e-mail,

file transfers including images)file transfers including images)►VOIP (Voice Over IP) TelephonesVOIP (Voice Over IP) Telephones►Repeater linkingRepeater linking

2.4 GHz WiFi is Fast2.4 GHz WiFi is Fast

► • • The RF links are around 54 MbpsThe RF links are around 54 Mbps – – Packet Radio/APRS 0.0012 MbpsPacket Radio/APRS 0.0012 Mbps – – Pactor III .003 MbpsPactor III .003 Mbps – – D-Star DD 0.128 MbpsD-Star DD 0.128 Mbps

► • • Home ServiceHome Service – – FiOS (Fiber Optic) 2 Mbps up / 15 Mbps FiOS (Fiber Optic) 2 Mbps up / 15 Mbps

downdown – – T1 1 MbpsT1 1 Mbps – – DSL 0.768 Mbps, 0.512 Mbps, 0.368 MbpsDSL 0.768 Mbps, 0.512 Mbps, 0.368 Mbps – – Dialup 0.014 – 0.056 MbpsDialup 0.014 – 0.056 Mbps

LimitationsLimitations►2.4GHz Propagation2.4GHz Propagation►Busy SpectrumBusy Spectrum►However, Non Part 15 use is secondaryHowever, Non Part 15 use is secondary►Part 97 use is Part 97 use is Primary for a changePrimary for a change!!►Caution:Caution: We do not want to disturb the big We do not want to disturb the big

dogs. Bidirectional Amps are seldom dogs. Bidirectional Amps are seldom necessary. Stay off channels 1 and 6. Use necessary. Stay off channels 1 and 6. Use height and directional antennas to avoid height and directional antennas to avoid interference to WiFi users and suppliersinterference to WiFi users and suppliers..

Local Groups DirectionLocal Groups Direction

►Point to Multi-Point Router at Point to Multi-Point Router at Hospitals/clinics Hospitals/clinics

►Mesh of Access Points Feeding From/To Mesh of Access Points Feeding From/To Hospital --- with enough relay stations Hospital --- with enough relay stations properly located, no problem.properly located, no problem.

HSMM NETWORK DIAGRAMHSMM NETWORK DIAGRAM

2 Omni outdoor antenna for local area 2 @ $70 each = $140.00

2 routers WDT54-GL 2 @$60 = $120

2 Antenna Poles 2@$20 = $40

2 laptops (personal machines.) (network control stations.)

ACCESS POINTACCESS POINT

ACCESS POINT SYSTEM ACCESS POINT SYSTEM DIAGRAMDIAGRAM

LINKSYSROUTER

CONTROL COMPUTER

COULD ALSO BE FILE SERVER OR E-MAIL SERVER

USERSRELAY UNIT OR ANOTHER ACCESS POINT

LOCAL AREA

ANTENNA

HOW FAR CAN WE LINK APs HOW FAR CAN WE LINK APs TOGETHERTOGETHER

NEEDS PHYSICAL LINE OF SITE FROM AP TO AP UNIT

IN SOME VERY FLAT OPEN TERRAIN, DISTANCE TO HORIZON PLUS ANTENNA HEIGHT EFFECT.

IN SOME MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WITH ACCESSIBLE OPENING IN THE FOLIAGE, 34 TO 75 MILES BETWEEN AP POINTS AND APs IN BETWEEN.

IN ST. LOUIS? HOW HIGH CAN YOU GET THE DISH AND ROUTER AS A PACKAGE? REMEMBER DISH MUST BE PRE- POINTED OR ROTATABLE TO POINT AT ACCESS POINTS.

NO FOLIAGE BETWEEN POINTS, CLEAR LINE OF SIGHT……

Ok What is a networkOk What is a network

►Review: Review: Ad Hoc or sometimes called a Ad Hoc or sometimes called a Peer to Peer networkPeer to Peer network Point to Point network. Node address manually assigned looks like this.looks like this.

Ok, What is a networkOk, What is a network

►Review: Review: Infrastructure networkInfrastructure network star shaped network. star shaped network. Nodes joint and drop off. Nodes joint and drop off. Access Point controls many service Access Point controls many service

functions like assigning addresses.functions like assigning addresses.

Ok What is a MESH networkOk What is a MESH network

►Now, What is a MESH?Now, What is a MESH?►Here is a MESH (Sample 2 link)Here is a MESH (Sample 2 link)

Characteristics of a MESHCharacteristics of a MESH

► In a MESH each node has the In a MESH each node has the intelligence to link to any other node it intelligence to link to any other node it can physically hear on the network.can physically hear on the network.

► In a MESH each node self builds tables In a MESH each node self builds tables used for routing messages trough the used for routing messages trough the MESH to the desired destination.MESH to the desired destination.

►Connect a node to a resource Connect a node to a resource (internet, video camera, etc) all nodes (internet, video camera, etc) all nodes have access to the asset.have access to the asset.

Characteristics of a MESHCharacteristics of a MESH

► In a MESH as a new node appears, the In a MESH as a new node appears, the routing tables are recreated to routing tables are recreated to account for the new node.account for the new node.

► In a MESH, if any node disappears, the In a MESH, if any node disappears, the routing tables are recreated to routing tables are recreated to account for the lack of that node. account for the lack of that node.

► In a MESH, duplicate transmissions of In a MESH, duplicate transmissions of messages are stopped by a node.messages are stopped by a node.

MESH Network DiagramMESH Network Diagram

►Broken net self healsBroken net self heals

HSMM-MESHHSMM-MESH™™

►A HSMM-MESH System is HSMM A HSMM-MESH System is HSMM equipment usually COTS, special free equipment usually COTS, special free software / firmware with MESH software / firmware with MESH software loaded over it on a router.software loaded over it on a router.

►Does not require a separate repeater Does not require a separate repeater ►Ready to go right now. Ready to go right now.

HSMM vs. PacketHSMM vs. Packet

PacketPacket► 1200 bps to 19200 bps1200 bps to 19200 bps► Requires special (rare) Requires special (rare)

knowledge to set up, knowledge to set up, useuse

► Requires special Requires special software to usesoftware to use

► Routing is difficultRouting is difficult► Uses common radios & Uses common radios &

antennasantennas► TNC’s are expensiveTNC’s are expensive► Generally uses UHF Generally uses UHF

down to HFdown to HF

HSMM•60 kbps to 54 mbps •Requires special (common) knowledge to set up, but use is common knowledge•Software is commonplace•Routing is simple•Equipment ranges from common to uncommon•Equipment is cheap•Runs on 900MHz and higher

Ham EquipmentHam Equipment

Icom D-STARIcom D-STAR Runs on 1.2 GHZ, combines FM voice and Runs on 1.2 GHZ, combines FM voice and

128kb data128kb data Requires separate, proprietary analog and Requires separate, proprietary analog and

digital repeatersdigital repeaters System of components including mobile System of components including mobile

radio, voice and data repeaters and a 10GHz radio, voice and data repeaters and a 10GHz backhaul radiobackhaul radio

Mobile has ethernet, USB connectionsMobile has ethernet, USB connections Pricey!Pricey!