High Performance Node - Specification

High Performance Node Development & Test Network

(Note) This is not the proper page for this discussion, will move it later. Keeping it here as much of the discussions currently happening, is around topics on this page

• Development and Test network
  • Installation of a 10 node network on the CSIR campus
  • Lab development platforms
  • Tx power set on minimum and attenuators used to minimise transmission distance
  • Sites on the campus need to be selected
  • Equipment for test network needs to be procured - suppliers?
    • Enclosures - Poynting Antennas
    • Gateworks boards -
    • Dual WiFi cards -
    • Power over Ethernet(poE)injectors -

Hardware

Current Bokkie router

HPN based on current “Bokkie” router, to become “Bokkie v2”

Block Diagram of HPN

Block diagram of HPN

Enclosure

• Based on Poynting Enclosure (Product code:WLAN-A0033)
• Modification: swap 1x 2.4 GHz omni-directional antenna for 1x 5.8 GHz omni-directional antenna

Electronics

• 1x Gateworks Avila GW2348-4 Network Platform

The GW2348-4 is a member of the Gateworks Avila Network Processor family. The GW2348-4 meets the requirements for enterprise and residential network applications. This single board network processor consists of an Intel® IXP425 XScale® processor operating at 533MHz, 64Mbytes of SDRAM, and 16Mbytes of Flash. Peripherals include four Type III Mini-PCI sockets, two 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet channels, Compact Flash socket, and two RS-232 serial ports for management and debug. Additional features include digital I/O, serial EEPROM, real time clock, voltage and temperature monitor, fan controller, watchdog timer, passive power over Ethernet, wide input range DC/DC power supply, and extended temperature operation. Software support includes Linux and VxWorks® operating systems.

• 3x 802.11a/b/g mini PCI Atheros based WiFi cards
  • 2x configured at 5.8 GHz
  • 1x configured at 2.4 GHz
• 1x 1GB compact flash card
• 3x U.FL to SMA connectors

Enclosure - Other

• 1x External weatherproof Ethernet connector with Ethernet pigtail for POE (install on left side – looking at bokkie – keeping with current standard)
• 4x Gateworks board mounting standoffs
• External Mounting bracket

Accessories

• Powered 48V power-over-Ethernet injector
• Ethernet Cables
  • 1x UV resistant outdoor CATV cable [have different lengths available (5m, 10m, 20m)]
  • 1x indoor CATV cable [have different lengths available (5m, 10m, 20m)]
  • Need for longer cables, custom make ?
• Some type of surge protection on the power side.
  • Thinking of a product from http://www.clearline.co.za/. Still need to investigate

Other

• Wall mounting bracket (different types depending on type of wall - specification)
• Mounting pole (different types - spec)
• M10\M12 Coach Screws and fisher plugs (# depending on wall mounting bracket)
• 10x pack Cable ties
• Earthing kit Webb Industries have earthing kits that can be used. see http://www.webb.co.za/index.php?nav=news&ID=50
  • Clamp\lug on one end of earthing cable for attachment onto wireless installation mounting bracket
  • Earthing cable: Length (?), Gauge (?) - 10-15mm diameter
  • Clamp on spike for other end of earthing cable for attachment onto earthing spike
  • Earthing spike - 1m (driven into the ground at base of wall of the wireless installation)

Software

Firmware: "bokkie1 mesh distribution"

This software specification is based on the current free BSD version of the firmware. I have named it "bokkie1 mesh distribution" as a working title (for want of a better name - please provide a nice snazzy one)

• A script is used to build the current firmware build based on the platform. Please insert the list of packages\utilites\etc used to make this build.

• Additional
  • IPv4 over IPv6
    • Allows for automatic configuration of the tunnels
    • Automatic DHCP of IPv4
  • Other?

GUI

Current details and functionality of the GUI

What configurations are done on the command line

Need details for further development on the GUI

Remote upgradeable

What current functionality exists?

What further development is needed?

What limitations exits?

• Cannot be remotely upgraded if there is a protocol change

Further development to functionality

• GSM modem to the development network and first nodes in the field

• Watchdog
  • Problem with native watchdog on Gateworks Avila board
    • Boot failure resuscitation
  • Specific to Gateworks Avila Board
  • PCB to be developed that plugs into the JTag connector

• WEP security

• Mechanism to get the GPS co-ord configured in the HPN. This can later be used in the visualisation tool on the gateway with a Google plot of the nodes.

LED type indicator system

• Indicator:
  • Visual: Example of indicator system (using LEDs mounted at the bottom of the enclosure) for alignment, type of box (ie. red or green, which is an indication of the channel being used), power to box
    • 1 - Left most LED can be either RED or GREEN, showing type of box - this can be configured in the setup and commissioning of the router(indication of the channel being used), ie. this is either a red box or a green box
    • 1 - Right most LED shows power
    • 2 - 5 Used as 4 point scale for signal strength
  • Audible: with a buzzer used for alignment