Research Article
SolarMesh - Energy-Efficient, Autonomous Wireless Networks for Developing Countries
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-642-29093-0_10, author={Christian Mannweiler and Christian Lottermann and Andreas Klein and Hans Schotten}, title={SolarMesh - Energy-Efficient, Autonomous Wireless Networks for Developing Countries}, proceedings={e-Infrastructure and e-Services for Developing Countries. Third International ICST Conference, AFRICOMM 2011, Zanzibar, Tanzania, November 23-24, 2011, Revised Selected Papers}, proceedings_a={AFRICOMM}, year={2012}, month={5}, keywords={wireless mesh networks communications infrastructure for rural areas autarkic energy supply situation-aware network management self-adaptation}, doi={10.1007/978-3-642-29093-0_10} }- Christian Mannweiler
Christian Lottermann
Andreas Klein
Hans Schotten
Year: 2012
SolarMesh - Energy-Efficient, Autonomous Wireless Networks for Developing Countries
AFRICOMM
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-29093-0_10
Abstract
This paper presents the research and development activities within ” - Energy-Efficient, Autonomous, Wide-Area Wireless Voice and Data Network”, a R&D project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The project, bringing together expertise from academia and industry in Germany, is specifically dedicated to develop reliable wireless communications infrastructure for rural areas in developing countries, such as in sub-Saharan Africa. Wireless mesh networks based on IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN technology combined with intelligent functions for self-configuration and self-adaptation can provide affordable ICT infrastructure for access and backhaul operation while at the same time offering carrier-grade QoS for voice and data services. Moreover, the paper outlines how the SolarMesh network operates independently from (potentially unreliable) local energy grids using autarkic energy supply (solar power) and implementing energy-aware routing and handover functions.