mesh networks/aredn - w7yrc
TRANSCRIPT
MESH NETWORKS/AREDN
ROB REDFORD
KG7LMI
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR, YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES
JUNE 2018
MESH NETWORKS
• Introduction
• Applications
• Architecture
• Demo
• References
INTRODUCTION
• What are mesh networks?
• An RF data network utilizing microwave radios and ham frequencies
• Purpose: move large amounts of data across a wide area
• What is a “mesh?”
• A network with multiple possible paths between points A & B
• The Internet is a (ginormous) mesh
• This term is broadly abused
• Many “mesh” networks are not technically meshes at all
• Does not matter for practical purposes
• What is “AREDN?”
• Amateur Radio Emergency Data Networks
• Repurposed commercial WISP gear with Linux-based open-source software for hams
MESH NETWORK ATTRIBUTES
• Data speeds
• Up to 150+ Mbps
• Varies with distance, frequency, bandwidth, topology, etc.
• Low power
• 200 – 630 mW (antenna gain 11 – 30 dBi)
• ~6 watt power consumption
• Yet signals travel over large distances (50+ miles)
• Frequencies
• 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz
• 5, 10, or 20 MHz channel bandwidth
• Typically ham-only bands are used
• Also unlicensed WiFi frequencies, shared ISM
• All Part 97, Technician Class
• But with routes to Part 15 WiFi for end users
OPERATING FREQUENCIES
APPLICATIONS: HAMS
•Repeater linking
• IRLP, EchoLink, Allstar, custom VoIP
•Experimental
• Any IP network application you can come up with
•Community preparedness networks
•Voice over IP
•Part 97 rules apply*
APPLICATIONS: EMERGENCY NETWORKS
• Game changer … High-speed network … anywhere
• New capabilities for large files and streaming (voice/video)
• Fixed backbone and distribution infrastructure
• Mobile “ad-hoc” network nodes in the field
• WiFi network transparently replaces the cellular network when outside coverage area
or cell network is down
• Make calls, send texts as usual with your smartphone … transparent to the user
• Backup network access to Internet, agency websites, etc.
• Local governments typically have no backup connectivity strategy or plan
• Establish an intranet (“private Internet”) for an incident
• Remotely view and control webcams, collect monitoring device data
• Post shelter information (list of evacuees, etc.) and securely share patient records
• Mobile command and operational field units
• Full network capabilities in the field
INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENTS
Sector Antenna:
45/60/90/120º
Distribution
Note: installation not typical 😉
Dish:
Point-to-Point
EXAMPLE:UBIQUITI ROCKET SERIES
POE
Injector
Ethernet
Ethernet
(to network)
AC Power
CONCEPTUAL ARCHITECTURE
Dish point-to-point links
EthernetRadio-to-radio links
Internet gateway
Building CPE
Part 15 WiFi NetworkServers, Laptops, etc.
Distribution links
Ad-hoc Mobile
Node
Part 15 WiFi Network
YC-ARDEN ARCHITECTURE PHASE I (DRAFT)
Backbone Node
Distribution Node
Mt Union
Mt Francis
Mingus
Bill Williams
•Backbone nodes
• Point-to-point mountaintop connections
• High-speed microwave network utilizing
amateur-only frequencies (60+ Mbps)
• Redundant “ring” architecture (two paths to
any other node*)
•Distribution nodes
• Provide standard 802.11 WiFi
Intranet/Internet locally
• Distribution (“sector”) antennas will be on some
backbone node towers also
• Mobile nodes may be deployed anywhere
within the distribution coverage area
• Initial Internet peering point in Yavapai County
(location TBD)
Wickenburg
DEPLOYED AREDN EXAMPLES
Part 15 WiFi
Omni Antenna
MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS EXAMPLE
• Yavapai County ARES/RACES mobile
communications vehicle (MARC)
• Currently:
• Ham VHF, UHF, HF
• Public safety VHF, UHF
• APRS
• FRS/GMRS
• Future additions:
• ARDEN downlinks (900, 2.4)
• Part 15 WiFi (local hotspot)
NETWORK PLANNING
• Potential sites
• Path analysis
• Bandwidth requirements
• Frequency
• Distance, terrain, foliage …
• Spectrum analysis
• Required antenna gain
• Wind loading
• Weather
• Isolation
• Redundancy
• Backbone & distribution
• More …
DEMO SETUP
Rocket M2 radio
(2.4 GHz Ch -1)
AM-2G15-120 sector antenna
PBE-M2-400 2.4 GHz
Dish with integrated radio
(CPE or mobile)
K7YCA-D0
10.3.91.225Internet Gateway
K7YCA-A0
10.135.235.217
Bullet M2 + Omni antenna
WiFi: AREDN-AP (Part 15)
(Ubiquiti AirOS)
192.168.4.1
Internet
VLAN 1
Demo Laptop
Node D0 Laptop
10.13.91.229
PTZ Webcam
10.3.91.230
Node A0 Laptop
10.135.235.222
DEMOS
1. Examine “self configuring” network setup from D0 and A0 AREDN nodes
• Node and LAN setup
• Part 15 setup on Bullet M2 running stock AirOS
2. Webcam demo
• View and control from laptop (connected to mesh LAN)
• View and control from iPhone (connected to AREDN-AP Part 15 WiFi network)
3. Winlink Express email messages
• P2P (peer-to-peer) message from A0 (KG7LMI) to D0 (K7YCA) … attachment
• Message from A0 (KG7LMI) to (demo laptop) K7YCA using Winlink Post Office … ICS form
4. Phone call using AREDN-AP WiFi
• Call uses WiFi and Internet connection, not cellular network
RESOURCES• www.aredn.org (AREDN project)
• www.aredn.org/content/aredn-help-file-31610 (closest thing to an AREDN tutorial … good
starting point)
• www.ubnt.com (Ubiquiti Networks)
• Purchasing:
• www.amazon.com
• www.newegg.com
• www.streakwave.com
• Articles & education:
• QST, June 2017
• YouTube: HamRadio 360, HamRadioNow, Ham Nation, etc.
• Analysis
• www.ve2dbe.com/rmonline.html (Radio Mobile path and coverage analysis)
• airlink.ubnt.com (Ubiquiti path analysis)