HSMM

Mon 26 December 2011

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.]

Articles of Interest

By Sparks, Category: Radio

Tags: High Speed Multimedia (HSMM) / IRC / XMPP / BBS / APRS / voice / digital communications /