TownshipNet: A Localized Hybrid TVWS-WiFi and Cloud Services Network

This paper describes a network architecture to provide low cost last mile access and cloud services for local content sharing in a poorly resourced township environment. We describe how ICT solutions are developed in close partnership with the local community who will benefit from the interventions. We analyze the data usage patterns of mobile users in the township to provide us with a real understanding of the needs of the community. This data usage analysis is used to inform the design of the network and of the localized cloudlet services. The network consists of hybrid TV White Space and WiFi backhaul and WiFi public access points

A Correlation between RSSI and Height in UHF Band and Comparison of Geolocation Spectrum Database View of TVWS with Ground Truth.

An investigation into the Received Signal Strength Indica- tor (RSSI) dependency on receiver antenna height in UHF band is con- ducted. The results show a high correlation between RSSI and height on channels with high signal strength. There is approximately 2.5 dBm RSSI gain per 1 m increase in height above ground up to 8.5 m. From 8.5 m to 12 m, there is no consistent observable increase in RSSI. Further- more, the geolocation spectrum databases (GLSD) view of white space in the television band is compared with the ground truth. Results show signal presence on some of the channels indicated free by the spectrum database. These findings imply that an increase in transmission range of UHF links can be achieved by increasing receiver height. White space devices using A GLSD should additionally require spectrum scanning to determine clear channels

Performance analysis of a collaborative DSA-based network with malicious nodes

This work analyses the performance of a Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) network with secondary nodes to provide Internet services, and studies the impact of malicious nodes and cooperative secondary nodes on the performance of the network and spectrum utilization. The work mathematically models the throughput, latency, and spectrum utilization with varying numbers of malicious nodes, secondary nodes, miss probabilities, and false alarm probabilities, and studies their effect on the performance of the network. The results point to rapid spectrum starvation as the number of malicious nodes increase, as well as the negative impact of too many secondary nodes crowding out available spectrum with resultant degradation of throughput and latenc

Head to Head Battle of TV White Space and WiFi for Connecting Developing Regions

TV White Space networks are gaining momentum worldwide as an important addition to the suite of wireless protocols available for connecting developing regions. However, there has been no thorough investigation of scenarios where TV White Space performs better or worse than alternative low-cost wire- less technology such as WiFi. This paper analyzes the performance of 5 GHz WiFi links and TV White space links using down-converted WiFi, typically used as wireless backhaul for poorly connected regions, in different scenarios including line-of-sight links and links obstructed by trees and structures. The experiments make use of 802.11a/b/g WiFi and TV White Space equipment that down- converts standard 802.11 a/b/g WiFi from the 2.4 GHz band into the UHF band. The paper finds that 5 GHz links outperformed TVWS where clear line-of-sight is available and point-to-point links are required. TVWS however is a clear choice where there are obstructions and where wider coverage is needed. Some interesting observations on the negative effect of TV transmissions in adjacent channels a few channel-hops away from the channel being used for TVWS are also provided

Localize-It: Co-designing a Community-Owned Platform

One of the most difficult, yet undocumented, aspects of information and communications technologies and development (ICTD) projects is that of establishing partnerships around which researchers’ interventions will develop, be tested and grow. Constraints on timing and funding usually lead to short-term projects, in which benefits are biased towards researchers rather than the partner community. In order to avoid empty and unethical promises and to increase the potential benefit for the community, we consider the process of developing participatory partnerships in ICTD projects. The objective is to make the project community owned, allowing the participants to develop what they value as important. Using the case of a township-based wireless community content sharing network, we describe the potential and some of the challenges with this approach. The paper highlights building blocks, such as ethical behaviour and trust, to avoid recreating the dichotomy between research and practice, and building a constructive collaboration