Technology Overview
Starting in 2000, SkyPilot set out to build an entirely new class of broadband wireless equipment by applying advanced designs to address common RF issues such as interference, spectral efficiency, range, scalability, capacity, redundancy, and fault tolerance. After over four years of designing and engineering a completely new wireless architecture, the result was a cost-effective system that elegantly and gracefully handled the major complexities of deploying RF solutions. In late 2004, SkyPilot came to market with a unique carrier-class broadband wireless solution and market validation came quickly: over 120 customers in more than 30 countries in less than a year.
This innovative new architecture blends two significant wireless innovations into a single solution. Within each system, SkyPilot developed Synchronous Switching capabilities to dynamically select individual directional antennas from an array of antennas. With these capabilities, each system would dynamically align point-to-point connections with other systems and coordinate transmissions throughout an entire network of systems. This architecture, called SyncMesh™, synchronizes a multitude of dynamically interconnected point-to-point links to create a mesh of broadband wireless base stations.
With this combination, SkyPilot solves some of the most serious RF issues facing broadband wireless deployments. We invite you to learn more about this innovative and powerful architecture.
Advantages – Reliable NLOS Coverage
One of the biggest challenges with outdoor wireless solutions is dealing with obstructions. Buildings, trees, and hills can obstruct RF signals and cause headaches when deploying broadband 802.11 wireless. Fortunately, the SkyPilot system is capable of providing three distinct methods of overcoming the issues with non-line of sight (NLOS) environments.
OFDM – Bounce Signals Off
Obstructions
In urban environments,
SkyPilot's system leverages
the inherent multipath
capabilities of OFDM
modulation to bounce
wireless signals off objects
such as building to find a
NLOS path from one node to
another.
Link Budget – Penetrate
Through Obstructions
With such a substantial link
budget, SkyPilot can
overcome certain significant
sources of signal
attenuation such as foliage
and windows. For instance,
in areas such as tree-lined
streets, the link budget can
provide service where lesser
systems fail, making it an
effective solution for areas
previously unreachable for
broadband wireless.
Mesh – Route Around
Obstructions
For certain obstruction like
hills and mountains, OFDM
doesn't bounce off and no
amount of link budget will
penetrate. In these NLOS
environments, SkyPilot's
mesh architecture provides
the capability for multi-hop
links so the network can
simply route around the
obstruction.
Build out a Mesh network
using SkyPilot's 802.11
access points.
With these three methods of solving NLOS environments, the SkyPilot system can provide a reliable way of ensuring broadband wireless coverage.
