HSMM, or High
Speed Multimedia, networks provide IP-based wireless network
communications over amateur radio microwave frequencies for the amateur
radio community. Many different services can be offered across this
network providing a wide range of communication operations to the users.
Communication Modes
Because this network is IP-based, the network will support many
different types of communication simultaneously. Here are a few
examples:
- IRC - Text-based
point-to-point and point-to-multipoint chat
- BBS -
Traditional packet networks utilize bulletin board systems (or BBSs)
to move messages around the globe. This, too, can be utilized as
either user connection points or backbones to move messages, using
telnet, around the area.
- Email - Electronic mail, or
email, servers can be established on the network providing similar
communications as you would find on the Internet.
- XMPP - Extensible Messaging
and Presence Protocol, or XMPP, provides IM communications.
- HTML - Webpages containing
both static and dynamic information can be created for users to gain
access information.
- SIP -
Session Initiation Protocol, or SIP, provides voice and video
communication capabilities across the network. Repeaters can even
use this protocol to link to each other using ATA converters
providing a clear, digital voice channel.
- Others - There are many other mechanisms of IP-based communications
that can be utilized that I haven't even documented here. For the
most part these can be utilized across this network.
Bandwidth
Because we are utilizing IEEE
802.11 protocols, bandwidth
of 54 Mb/s and greater are possible. While higher bandwidth is possible
utilizing newer amendments to the 802.11 protocol (802.11n supports
54Mb/s to 600Mb/s and 802.11ac supports upto 1300Mb/s compared with
802.11b supporting 11Mb/s) bandwidth decreases the further away the
station is from the user due to the number of retries that must be sent
to get a complete communication and other environmental concerns.
Generally the bandwidth provided by this network will be higher than
those provided by local ISPs.
Integrating "traditional" amateur radio systems
Analog Repeaters
Analog repeaters can be linked together with digital-quality voice links
utilizing SIP across a HSMM network. Using ATA modules, analog voice
"links" from repeater controllers are changed to digital using the SIP
protocol and transmitted to either the distant point directly or via a
telephony server such as Asterisk to provide multi-point connectivity.
Digital Repeaters
Digital repeater systems, such as D-Star and DMR, contain native IP
network connections. HSMM could easily allow these types of systems to
be linked up connecting a regional area together without the use of the
Internet.
APRS
APRS digipeaters can also act as gateways to an APRS server on the HSMM
network. This will provide regional connectivity without the use of the
Internet.
BBS
BBSs can utilize the HSMM network to provide high speed connectivity
between BBSs to pass traffic over telnet. Users could also be given
access to BBSs using telnet to gain access to these systems.
[STRIKEOUT:Hardware]
[STRIKEOUT:The custom firmware for MESH is now being standardized around
the Ubiquiti hardware.]