Afar AR-24010E, Operator'S Manual

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pulsAR radio Operator's Manual
2 NETWORK TOPOLOGIES AND
APPLICATIONS
2.1 Network Topologies
You can deploy the pulsAR radios in a variety of topologies from a simple point-to-point link to
complex networks with multiple hops, redundant nodes, and mobile nodes. In all applications the
radios will act as bridges connecting the LANs from all sites together. From any LAN you will be
able to access stations at all other sites, even when they are several hops away. The radios will
perform all the packet switching, sending packets in the appropriate direction so that they reach their
destination with the minimum number of hops.
The following table lists the various topologies that are possible and gives you a brief description for
each. Subsequent sections explain these topologies in more detail.
Topology Description
Point-to-point Single link between two points. For fixed sites use directional antennas to
reach distances exceeding 80 km (50 miles).
Point-to-Multipoint Central site with a single hub radio with links with up to 32 remote sites.
The hub radio autonomously allocates bandwidth “on-demand” to each
remote radio. You can co-locate multiple hub radios to increase total
capacity or maximum number of remotes.
Point-to-Multipoint
with Redundant Hubs Two hub radios at the central site operating on different channels. The two
hubs double the total throughput available but if one hub fails the other hub
takes over and services all the remotes.
Tree topology One root node with direct links to up to 32 remotes (like in point-to-
multipoint). Any of the remotes can be promoted to a branch . A branch
node operates as an access point for up to 32 additional remote nodes
downstream (which can themselves be promoted to branch nodes). Radios
come with two antenna ports, you can deploy a branch node with one
directional antenna pointing at the parent, and a second omni antenna to
serve as an access point.
Linear Network Used for long networks with multiple stations along a railway, pipeline or
roadside. Each node has at most two neighbors. Use the radio dual antenna
port to deploy each radio with two directional antennas pointing at each
neighbor.
Loop topology Extension of the Linear Network with an additional link between the last
node back to the first. Then, if any one link goes down the radios still keep
connectivity between all nodes.
Roaming Used with mobile nodes that move around an area with multiple fixed
access points. The mobile radios change the access point automatically to
keep you connected to the fixed network. Can also be used to provide a
redundant path from a leaf node in the Tree network.
2-1