FAQ Meshlium
Over what distance can two Meshlium devices communicate?
It depends on the type of antenna connected to Meshlium and the obstacles between them. The maximum distance achieved using high gain directional antenna is 50Km. The omnidirectional antenna supplied with the high power WiFi radios allow communication over 5Km. For more information, consult the data sheet.
How can we calculate the maximum ground coverage of a mesh network?
Sine each node is capable of communicating over a 5Km radius, this gives us an area of A = pi * r2 = 3.14 * 25 = 78.5Km2, covered by just one Meshlium. In order to calculate the total area covered by a mesh network, we simply need to multiply this area by the total number of nodes in the network and to subtract the areas of overlapping cover.
Over what maximum distance can a client connect to a Meshlium device?
We need to distinguish the distance over which 2 Meshlium nodes can communicate (with high power radios) and the distance over which a user with a low power device such as a laptop or PDA can connect. In this case, the limit is determined by the quality and power of the device. The normal functioning range is about 100m.
How should we choose the Meshlium Wifi radios?
Meshlium can include three types of WiFi radios depending on the transmission power and frequency: 2.4GHz low power, 2.4GHz high power and 5GHz high power. The choice will depend on the application. For cases where Meshlium is intended for use as an Internet Access Point, the low power 2.4GHz radio included by default will be sufficient. This radio can operate in modes 802.11g (54MB/s) and 802.11b (11MB/s) supported by laptops’ Wifi cards.
The high power radios are suitable for building Mesh Networks, the frequency band will depend on the topology of the ground where it will be installed. The 5GHz band makes it possible to cover greater distances at higher speeds between Meshliums, but requires a good line of sight between them, whereas the 2.4GHz band is more tolerant of obstacles.
By using the two high power radios it is possible to join Mesh Networks operating at different frequencies.
Why are omnidirectional antennae included with Meshlium by default if the directional antenna can cover a greater distance?
The idea of using omnidirectional antennae in Meshlium is due to the fact that in mesh networks communications can come from any direction (imagine a mobile network or one in which points are added in all directions). Therefore, the nodes need to be prepared to receive the signal from any machine that appears in its surroundings.
Which mobile operators does the Meshlium GPRS module function with?
Meshlium’s GPRS module does not include any SIM card by default, therefore our clients can choose the operator that best adapts to their needs in terms of cover and costs.
Why does Meshlium use a GPRS and not a 3G module?
GPRS networks are present almost everywhere worldwide. However, 3G networks only cover certain cities and towns, meaning that it is insufficient for the applications Meshlium intends to cover, as a versatile device prepared for installation in any environment.
If Wimax is more powerful than Wifi, why has it not been incorporated into Meshlium?
Wimax (802.16) is a protocol designed to operate on licensed frequency bands in the 2 - 66GHz spectrum, which means that in order to use this type of technology the relevant licenses as a telecommunications service provider need to be obtained.
Is any type of license necessary in order to transmit data using Meshlium?
All communication modules integrated in Meshlium function on free frequency bands, meaning that it is not necessary to buy any license in order to transmit data.
Is it necessary to pay a license fee for the software used by Meshlium?
No, the administration and configuration software that is included is free software. Find more information on the system here: Meshlium Manager System
Will the 802.11s standard for mesh networks work with Meshlium?
Currently, the 802.11s protocol developed by the IEEE, is in the experimental phase. For the time being there is no stable version that can be included in mesh routers. However, Meshlium works with the Linux kernel, which has its own implementation led by the project Open802. This means that when 802.11s becomes a stable protocol it will be possible to integrate it in Meshlium without affecting the architecture, the system or the applications implemented on it.
Of the three generations of existing Mesh Networks, which does Meshlium belong to?
Meshlium devices have two separate cards for building WiFi networks, meaning that they are in the 2nd Generation of Mesh Networks. This means that the machines can cohabit with two types of networks: the mesh network between the routers (referred to as Backhaul) and the network for connecting to the client. Normally, they are configured to work at separate frequencies: 5GHz - 802.11a the mesh network and 2.4GHz - 802.11b/g the client network.