Condroid Remote Management - WiFi Repeater Purchasing & Research document. Download the document in http://csd.xen.ssvl.kth.se/csdlive/content/remote-management-system-development
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Condroid Remote Management - WiFi Repeater Purchasing & Research document
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Lan Sun (lansun@kth.se), 15 ECTS (((((/#*&.(*01(2"#$%&'(#30%"(
Hervé Ntareme
Qing An (qinga@kth.se), 15 ECTS
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Michel Hognerud
Jun Gao (jungao@kth.se), 15 ECTS
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Laili Aidi (aidi@kth.se), 18 ECTS
Björn Pehrson!
Yasir Ali (yasireal@kth.se), 15 ECTS
SUMMER CSD
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Revision History
Version Date Responsible Change
V1.0 2011-07-15 Laili Aidi & Qing An Initial version of the document
V1.1 2011-10-07 Laili Aidi Cover and Introduction
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Contents
Contents .............................................................................................................................................3!
Summary.............................................................................................................................................4!
1. Basic Information ...........................................................................................................................5!
2. Network & Hardware Analysis........................................................................................................6!
2.1 Analysis of the Network Requirement .......................................................................................6!
2.3 Analysis of the Hardware (Ubiquity vs MicroTik) ......................................................................7!
3. Hardware Technical Detail............................................................................................................10!
3.1 MicroTik WiFi Repeater ..........................................................................................................10!
2.2 Ubiquity WiFi Repeater............................................................................................................13!
3. References.....................................................................................................................................21!
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Summary
This document describes the WiFi Repeater procurement proposal for SomaliREN long distance link between
SomaliREN NOC in Hargeisa City and Amoud University in Borama City.
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1. Basic Information
In the common infrastructure network, the nodes must be configured to pass along traffic to other nodes.
However there might be some obstacle exist between the link that make the Line of Sight (LOS) become
impossible. The WiFi repeater is a node that is configured to rebroadcast traffic that is not destined for the
node itself using the obstacle between nodes as repeater site [1]. The WiFi repeater can also supply an Ethernet
connection to provide local connectivity. Moreover, a repeater can use one or more wireless devices, as
described below [1]:
• A repeater with single radio (called a one-arm repeater), overall efficiency is slightly less than half of the
available bandwidth, since the radio can either send or receive data, but never both at once. These devices
are cheaper, simpler, and have lower power requirements.
• A repeater with two (or more) radio cards can operate all radios at full capacity, as long as they are each
configured to use non-overlapping channels.
The WiFi repeater can be purchased as a complete hardware solution, or easily assembled by connecting 2 or
more wireless nodes together with the Ethernet cable. When planning to use a repeater built with 802.11
technologies, the nodes must be configured for [1]:
• Master (AP)
• Managed (Client or Station)
• Ad-hoc (mesh node)
• Monitor (used for communications)
• Other proprietary (MicroTik Nstreme or Ubiquity airMAX)
Typically, both radios in a repeater are configured for master mode, to allow multiple clients to connect to
either side of the repeater. But depending on the network layout, one or more devices may need to use ad-hoc
or client mode.
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2. Network & Hardware Analysis
2.1 Analysis of the Network Requirement
Before choosing what kind of WiFI repeater product that will be proposed to be used, it is important to
understand the requirement of the network where this hardware will be installed. Below is the ConDroid
team’s analysis to the network requirement:
Figure 1. Long line Interconnection between SomaliREN NOC and Amood University [2]
1. The WiFi repeater would be installed in 100 km long distance link betweeb SomariREN NOC in Hargeisa
City and Amoud University in Borama. The distance between the SomariREN NOC node to the WiFi
repeater approximately would be 60 km, and the distance between the Amoud University node to the
WiFi repeater approximately would be 40 km. Based on this data, it is clear the WiFi repeater set (the
antenna and the repeater board) that would be chosen should have capability to cover are up to 50 km
distance, in order to reach both of the end nodes.
2. The installation of the WiFi repeater would be self-sustained, solar-driven, possibly with an ultracap
battery as energy store. As the installation would be in the middle of the dessert, we can assume that the
component would has enough power to operate.
3. The WiFi link band and the component we propose to use is the 5.8GHz band rather than 2.8GHz
band. This decision is made based on the considerations below:
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• The link between SomariREN NOC in Hargeisa City and Amoud University in Borama is a backhaul links
point-to-point, thus it is better to use 5.8GHz band. This band offers a less crowded spectrum and smaller
Fresnel zone while the 2.4GHz only has 3 non-overlapped channels, has crowded band, and larger Fresnel
zone [3]. Thus it might face a lot of interference, example from the other WISPs, cordless phones, SOHO
Wireless Router, etc.
• The WiFi repeater would be placed in a mountain ridge, with 5400 feet elevation and both of the end nodes
(SomariREN NOC and Amoud University) have approximately 4500 feet elevation. Based on general
checking on Google map, we find out that this link is in the middle of the dessert. The 5.8GHz is known
has more intolerant to obstacle than 2.4GHz [3], but based on this consideration we can be assume that
there is no significant obstacle, like trees, buildings, walls, etc that would become barrier to Line of Sigh
(LOS) of the WiFi signal.
• The 5.8GHz has higher gain antennas and can better immunity to external sources of interferences if it is
combined with this highly directional antenna [3].
• There is no regulatory restriction in Somali on using 2.4GHz devices (with a narrow channel width) as
point-to-point links. Thus there is no need to obtain permission from local authority or using the 3.65GHz
band.
2.3 Analysis of the Hardware (Ubiquity vs MicroTik)
After doing the research of the network requirement, the Ubiquity and MicroTik technology and the products
that available on the markets, we propose to use Ubiquity WiFi repeater board rather than the MicroTik,
based on the comparison below (the detail of each WiFi repeater board of these 2 vendors available in section
3 Harware Technical Detail):
1. Configuration point of view:
The Ubiquity GUI interface makes the board become much easier to configure. Meanwhile, the MikroTik
component requires specific training to be configured.
2. Processing point of view:
Having the router and radio on the same device has some disadvantage as it may make the device prone to
"hang" then need a reboot. Then if the routing becomes crucial requirement in this installation, then it would
be needed to use the MikroTik RouterBoards with upgraded memory. But, if there is no routing requirement,
then it is better to use the Ubiquity hardware.
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3. Protocol point of view:
• MicroTik radio link protocol (Nstreme Dual) has 2 radio cards thus it can provides 2 physically separate
antennas that deal with 2 different aspects of a TX-RX. Thus the power consumption is much less than
the Ubiquity WiFi repeater board. However, the MikroTik WiFi repeater board might suffer with the
interference between these 2 antennas when it is used in TX mode at the same time.
• The Ubiquity radio link protocol (Airmax TDMA) has a modem that provides built-in GPS to
synchronize the radios and out them in TX mode at the same time, provide radio link with full duplex bi-
directional. Thus it solves the interference problem and provides more throughput to the network (up to
100 Mbps), thus it is preferably to be used in the backbone link.
4. Power Consumption point of view:
The Ubiquity board might have more power consumption compare to the MicroTik. However, as this WiFi
repeater is designed to be installed on the top of the mountain, in the middle of the dessert with solar-driven,
possibly with an ultra-cap battery as energy store, then we can assume there is enough power to run this WiFi
repeater. Thus the issue of power consumption in the Ubiquity board can be acceptable, compare to
its benefit.
5. Serial Connection point of view:
Both of the Ubiquity and MicroTik WiFi repeater board has serial connection that makes it able to be c. The
Ubiquity WiFi repeater board provides TTL serial port, while the MicroTik WiFi repeater board provides
RS232 serial port. We preferably to use the WiFi repeater board with TTL serial port (Ubiquity board) because
the 2 USB-to-Serial converter boards (IOIO and Seeduino/Modern device), that we have chosen to connect
the Android device to the WiFi repeater board, also have TTL serial port, thus there is no need for TTL-to-
RS232 converter cable to set up this Remote Management system.
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Below is the specification of the WiFi repeater board that we propose to be used in this network:
Table 1. WiFi Equipment Requirement
Vendor Type Model Series / Part Number Quantity Prize
Ubiquity WiFi Repeater RM5-GPS, 5GHz 1 1195 SEK
board
Ubiquity Antenna AirMax Sector 5G-19-120 1 1995 SEK
(Compatible for 5GHz, 19DBI
120 Degrees)
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3. Hardware Technical Detail
3.1 MicroTik WiFi Repeater
1. RouterBoard 133
The Layout of this board is described in the figure below (Note: on the other side of the board, there is the
third miniPCI connector):
Figure 2. The Layout of RouterBoard 133 board
The advantages and disadvantages of this board are described below [5, 6]:
a. The advantages:
! 3 MiniPCI wireless card on only one board so we can just power 1 board, and 3 different p-p link
! Low power consumption
b. The disadvantages:
! No integrated wireless card
! Interference between the two interfaces when in tx mode at the same time, which can be avoided by
using Ubiquity board.
! This board has been replaced by RB411 model
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2. RB411AR
With this device you can connect to a remote AP and serve your local area with Internet both at the same time!
The RB411AR adds a b/g wireless card to the popular RB411 and has an integrated 802.11b/g wireless card
with MMCX connector. Not only it provides a readymade wireless solution, but also it has a spare miniPCI
card slot for another wireless card.
The advantages and disadvantages of this board are described below:
a. The advantages:
! One integrated wireless card and one spare miniPCI card slot so we can just power 1 board, and 2
different p-p link
! Low power consumption
b. The disadvantage of this board is, it only has one integrated wireless card
3. RB411UAHR
RB411UAHR includes RouterOS - the operating system, which can be a router, firewall, bandwidth manager, a
mobile 3G router, and more - all at the same time. It has thRB411UAHRe popular high-speed CPU, a
miniPCI-e slot and a SIM slot for 3G modems, a USB 2.0 port for attaching external storage, a regular miniPCI
card slot for 802.11abgn wireless cards, a Ethernet port and a built-in wireless 802.11bg radio (one MMCX
connector on board).
The advantages and disadvantages of this board are described below [7]:
a. The advantages:
! One integrated wireless card and one spare miniPCI card slot so we can just power 1 board, and 2
different p-p link
! It provides one miniPCI slot for 3G modem
! Low power consumption
b. The Disadvantage of this board is, it only has one integrated wireless card
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Below is the comparison between these MicroTik 3 WiFi Repeater models [8, 9, 10]:
Table 2. MicroTik WiFi Repeater models comparison
Model/Spec RouterBoard 133 RB411AR RB411UAHR
Price $89.00 [11] $89.00 [12] $119.00 [13]
Processor Spec MIPS32 4Kc based 175MHz Atheros AR7131 300MHz Atheros AR7161 680MHz
embedded processor network processor
Memory Information 32MB SDRAM onboard 64MB DDR SDRAM onboard 64MB DDR SDRAM
memory memory onboard memory
Boot loader RouterBOOT, 1Mbit Flash RouterBOOT RouterBOOT
Chip
Data storage 64 or 128 MB onboard 64MB onboard NAND 64MB onboard NAND
NAND memory chip memory chip memory chip
Networking Interface Three 10/100 Mbps Fast One 10/100 Mbps Fast One 10/100 Mbps Fast
Ethernet ports with Auto- Ethernet port with Auto- Ethernet port with Auto-
MDI/X MDI/X MDI/X
MiniPCI Three MiniPCI Type One MiniPCI Type IIIA/IIIB One MiniPCI Type IIIA/IIIB
IIIA/IIIB slots slot slot
One MiniPCIe slot for 3G
modem only (onboard SIM
connector)
Wireless No Built in AR2417 802.11b/g Built in AR2417 802.11b/g
wireless wireless, 1x MMCX connector
Serial port One DB9 RS232C One DB9 RS232C One DB9 RS232C
asynchronous serial port asynchronous serial port asynchronous serial port
LEDs Power and User LED Power, NAND activity, 5 user Power, NAND activity, 5 user
LEDs LEDs
Power options • Power over Ethernet: • Power over Ethernet: • Power over Ethernet:
12.28V DC (except power 10.28V DC (except power 10.28V DC (except power
over data lines). over data lines). over data lines).
• Power jack: 9.28V DC. • Power jack: 10.28V DC. • Power jack: 10.28V DC.
Includes voltage monitor Includes voltage monitor
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Fan control Two DC fan power output No No
headers with rotation sensor
and automatic fan switching
(maximum output current -
500mA total)
Dimensions 117 mm x 105 mm, Weight: 105 mm x 105 mm, Weight: 82 105 mm x 105 mm, Weight:
115 g g 82 g
Power consumption 3-4W without extension cards, ~3W without extension cards, Up to 5W with wireless at full
maximum - 20W (10W output maximum – 12 W activity
to extension cards)
Operations MikroTik RouterOS v3, Level4 license
RX sensitivity No 802.11g: –87 dBm @ 6Mbps to 802.11g: –87 dBm @ 6Mbps
-69 dBm @ 54 Mbps to -69 dBm @ 54 Mbps
802.11b: –92 dBm @ 1Mbps to 802.11b: –92 dBm @ 1Mbps
–83 dBm @ 11 Mbps to –83 dBm @ 11 Mbps
TX power No Up to 20 dBm 20dB@11Mbps 11b,
15dB@54Mbps 11g
Modulations No • 802.11g: OFDM, 64QAM, • 802.11g: OFDM, 64QAM,
16QAM, QPSK, BPSK 16QAM, QPSK, BPSK
• 802.11b: CCK, DSS, • 802.11b: CCK, DSS,
DQPSK, DBPSK DQPSK, DBPSK
2.2 Ubiquity WiFi Repeater
The general Features of Ubiquity WiFi repeater are It has detachable antenna, DHCP, MAC filtering, Web
Management interface, NAT, External Placement, Power over Ethernet, WMM, Built-in or with the possibility
of adding a wireless connection, WDS / Wireless Distribution System [14].
Ubiquity WiFi Repeater Models’ technical detail is described below:
1. Rocket M with compatible antenna
The advantages and disadvantages of this board are described below [15, 16]:
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a. The advantages:
! Rocket M is available in several bands: 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 3GHz, 3.65GHz, and 5GHz.
! GPS Synchronization eliminates co-location interference.
! Rocket M can be paired with the AirMax Base Station or Rocket Antennas.
! Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) AirMax protocol allows each client to send & receive data
using pre-designated time slots scheduled by an intelligent AP controller.
! The distance coverage can be guaranteed to be up to 50km+ range with the throughput 150+Mbps.
b. The disadvantages:
! The component is provided with no integrated directional antenna, thus this adds the cost of
procurement.
! The prize of this board combined with the antenna is much expensive than the other board.
The detail WiFi repeater board of Rocket M model are mentioned below:
a. Rocket M2, available on these bands:
• RM2-GPS (2.4 GHz), 2x2 MIMO AirMax TDMA Base Station
• RM2 (2.4 GHz)
The compatible antennas for this model are:
• AirMax Sector 2G-16-90 (16DBI 90 DEGRESS), MIMO 2x2 panel/sector
• 2G-15-120
• Rocket Dish 2G-24 (24DBI), MIMO 2x2 panel/sector
b. Rocket M5, available on these bands:
• RM5-GPS (5.8GHz), 2x2 MIMO AirMax TDMA Base Station
• RM5 (5.8GHz)
The compatible antennas for this model are:
• AirMax Sector 5G-17-90 (17DBI 90 DEGREES), MIMO 2x2 panel/sector
• AirMax Sector 5G-16-120 (16DBI 120 DEGRESS), MIMO 2x2 panel/sector
• AirMax Sector 5G-20-90 (20DBI 90 DEGREES), MIMO 2x2 panel/sector
• AirMax Sector 5G-19-120 (19DBI 120 DEGREES), MIMO 2x2 panel/sector
• Rocket Dish 5G-30 (30dbi)
• Rocket Dish5G-34 (30dbi)
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2. NanoBridge M
The advantages and disadvantages of this board are described below [29]:
a. The advantages:
! The Nanobridge M model is available in several bands: 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 3GHz, 3.65GHz, and
5GHz models. .
! The component is provided with integrated directional antenna (Ubiquiti’s Innerfeed Antenna and
AirMax (MIMO TDMA Protocol)), thus to create a simple, powerful and robust wireless unit and
much less cheaper compare to the same board.
b. The disadvantages of his board is that the distance coverage only can be guaranteed to be up to 30km+
range with the throughput 150+Mbps, which makes it not meet the requirement criteria of the
SomaliREN WiFi repeater long distance coverage.
The detail WiFi repeater board of NanoBridge model are mentioned below:
a. NanoBridge M2 for 2.4GHz
b. NanoBridge M5-22 for 5GHz, 22 dBi.
c. NanoBridge M5-25 for 5GHz, 25 dBi
3. PowerBridge
The advantages and disadvantages of this board are described below [33]:
a. The advantages:
! The PowerBridge model is available in several bands: 3GHz, 3.6GHz and 5GHz models.
! The component is provided with integrated directional antenna, thus this much less cheaper compare
to the same board.
b. The disadvantages:
! The distance coverage only can be guaranteed to be up to 20km+ range with the throughput
150+Mbps, which makes it not meet the requirement criteria of the SomaliREN WiFi repeater long
distance coverage.
! PowerBridge has no TDMA AirMax protocol.
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The PowerBridge model available on 5.8GHz band with the model PowerBridge M5: Carrier Class 5GHz
MIMO Bridging Solution.
4. Ubiquity Networks Bullet
The advantages and disadvantages of this board are described below [35, 36, 37]:
a. The advantages:
! The Bullet model is available in several bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz models.
! It provide TDMA AirMax protocol, but only available for 5GHz model, not 2.4GHz model
! The distance coverage can be guaranteed to be up to 50km+ range with the throughput 150+Mbps.
b. The disadvantage of this board is that the component is provided with no integrated directional antenna,
thus this adds the cost of procurement.
The detail WiFi repeater board of the Bullet model are mentioned below:
a. Bullet M2-HP for 2.4GHz band
b. Bullet M5-HP for 5.8GHz band
Below is the general comparison of the 4 Ubiquity WiFi Repeater models:
Table 3. Ubiquity WiFi Repeater models comparison
Model/Spec Rocket M NanoBridge M PowerBridge Bullet
Board Prize • RM2-GPS is approx. • NanoBridge M2 is PowerBridge M5 is • Bullet M2-HP is
$239 [17] approx. 59.94! - 52.54! approx 175.38! - approx 48.97! -
• RM2 is approx. [30] 163.54! [34] 54.69! [38]
59.20! - 53.28! [18] • NanoBridge M5-22 is • Bullet M5-HP is
• RM5-GPS is approx. approx. 54.76! - 50.32! approx 48.97! -
$239 [21] [31] 54.69! [39]
• RM5 is approx. 1195 NanoBridge M5-25
SEK [22] is approx. 65.12! -
57.72! [32]
Compatible Antenna for 2.4GHz Antenna is integrated with Antennas are integrated
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Antennas • AirMax Sector 2G- the products with the product (2 x 25
Prize 16-90 is approx.1795 (InnerFeed™ Antenna dBi antenna)
SEK [19] Technology)
• AirMax Sector 2G-
15-120 is unknown
• Rocket Dish 2G-24 is
approx. 1895 SEK
[20]
Antenna for 5.8GHz:
• AirMax Sector 5G-
17-90 is approx. 1045
SEK [23]
• AirMax Sector 5G-
16-120 is approx.
1045 SEK [24]
• AirMax Sector 5G-
20-90 is approx. 1995
SEK [25]
• AirMax Sector 5G-
19-120 is approx.
1995 SEK [26]
• Rocket Dish 5G-30 is
approx. 104.34! -
93.98! [27]
Rocket Dish 5G-34 is
approx. 216.08! -
199.80! [28]
MIMO Yes Yes No No MIMO TDMA
TDMA Protocol for Bullet M2
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Protocol HP
Throughput 150+Mbps real 100+Mbps real outdoor 150+Mbps of real 150 Mbps Data
TCP/IP outdoor transfer rate
Long Distance Up to 50km+ range Up to 30km+ range 20km+ range Over 50km (depend
(depend on antenna) on antenna)
Enclosure Outdoor UV Stabilized Plastic
Characteristics
Power Supply 24V, 1A POE Supply 24V, 1A POE Supply 24V, 1A surge Up to 24V DC POE.
included included protection integrated Adapters sold separately
POE adapter included
Power Method Passive Power over Ethernet (pairs 4,5+; 7,8 return)
Serial port TTL serial port
Operating -30C to 75C -30C to 75C -30C to +80C -20C to +70C
Temperature
Operating 5 to 95% Condensing
Humidity
Shock and ETSI300-019-1.4
Vibration
Processor Spec Atheros MIPS 24KC, 400MHz Atheros MIPS 4KC,
180MHz
Memory 64MB SDRAM • M9: 64MB SDRAM 64MB SDRAM 16MB SDRAM
Information • M2, M3, M365, M5:
32MB SDRAM
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