| Title | : | WiLong and WiLongH: Custom Handheld Platforms for Long-Range Wi-Fi Mesh Networks |
| Speaker | : | Kavin Kumar T (IITM) |
| Details | : | Mon, 18 Nov, 2024 11:00 AM @ SSB 334 Turing Hall |
| Abstract: | : | Mesh networks play a pivotal role in establishing on-demand infrastructure, providing vital last-mile connectivity, and supporting next-generation applications that demand pervasive, long-range wireless coverage. This seminar presents two customized handheld platforms, WiLong and WiLongH, each designed to extend the capabilities of Wi-Fi standards for distinct yet complementary use cases. The WiLong platform leverages commercially available hardware, open-source software, and IEEE 802.11s mesh capabilities to construct long-range Wi-Fi Mesh networks in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands. Experimental evaluations across varied environments—such as urban and open bay areas, indoor/outdoor spaces, and multi-floor basement parking—demonstrate the platform’s effectiveness in enhancing long-range Wi-Fi performance and achieving multi-hop connectivity. Key results include an 80% success rate for voice calls and 63% for video calls over selected urban routes, as well as reliable connectivity across multiple floors in a basement parking scenario. Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) has emerged as a promising solution for long-range, low-power connectivity, particularly for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. However, its implementation in multi-hop mesh networks remains challenging, given that the standard primarily supports star and tree topologies. The WiLongH platform addresses these limitations, enabling long-range HaLow mesh networks for ground-level Human-to-Human (H2H) communication. Experimental findings reveal that WiLongH supports voice and video call ranges exceeding 1 km and 800 m, respectively, with robust performance in urban, indoor, and outdoor settings. Tests show successful multicast audio performance and demonstrate the platform’s scalability through a dense mesh setup of 14 nodes. Moreover, a significant reduction in cellular interference, improved voice and video call performance, and a 33% enhancement in battery life underscore the platform's practical advantages. Together, WiLong and WiLongH illustrate the potential of customized Wi-Fi solutions to meet long-range communication requirements, with a focus on practical, scalable implementations for H2H and IoT applications. |
