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)