Tropos, the leader in urban meshed networks, has introduceda new product family that includes the Tropos 5210 outdoor MetroMesh (pdf) router, the Tropos 3210 indoor MetroMesh router (pdf) and the previously announced Tropos 4210 mobile MetroMesh router.
The new product family uses a single-radio architecture based on the Atheros AR5004G 802.11g chipset operating at 2.4 GHz and using their patented PWRP mesh protocol (Predictive Wireless Routing Protocol), to deliver increased capacity with the lowest latencies and MetroMesh to manage the system.
The ruggedized and weatherized Tropos 5210, which is certified for outdoor installation, transmits at the maximum allowable power level for the country in which it is used (36 dBm EIRP in the U.S.). At -100 dBm, Tropos claims, it also sports the industry s best receive sensitivity.
The new Tropos 5210 outdoor MetroMesh router and the new Tropos 3210 indoor MetroMesh router supports for up to 4095 VLANs and 16 ESSIDs, along with 802.1X and WPA support, including intra-router AES encryption support. They use Atheros chips to provide 802.11g speeds and are available immediately. The Tropos 4210 mobile MetroMesh router will be generally available in Q3-2005.
Tropos says chaska.net, a citywide Wi-Fi network in Chaska, Minnesota, providees some 2,000+ subscribers without using taxpayer funds. The 16-square mile network was financed for less than $600,000 with four-year equipment certificates. Some 25 percent of Chaska s homes have signed on for broadband Internet access speeds (>1Mbps, symmetrical) at dial-up prices ($16/month).
In a typical 802.11b network, Tropos says the 5210 can support node densities of 10 to 15 Mbps of total subscriber capacity for about $68,000. If the routers are configured for 802.11g networks, the 5210 can support node density reaching 20 Mbps (but more nodes would be required).
Tropos says their Predictive Wireless Routing Protocol and MetroMesh software is key to maximizing network economics. MetroMesh management enables the operation of multiple independent networks on a single metro-scale Wi-Fi mesh infrastructure. Individual user communities such as public safety, other municipal field workers and public access users can operate independently on the MetroMesh, segregating information access, administration, and user access levels.
NetMotion and Tropos Networks also announced a joint marketing agreement to provide secure, seamless roaming solutions among Wi-Fi mesh networks and wide area networks like cellular or police/fire radios.
Not mentioned by Tropos, was the Atheros 5004x, a triple band version of the 5004. That chip might be one way to add coverage on the 4.9 GHz public service band. The 5004x has an extended tuning range (2.300-2.500 & 4.900-5.850 GHz). But the range is less. Some say 4.9Ghz coverage could require as many as three times the density of 2.4 GHz radios.
Competitors Belair (creating hotzone in England), Firetide, and Strix use a separate 5GHz backbone.
Strix new outdoor gear will be as part of the WAZ Tempe network in Tempe, Arizona a hotzone previously being tested with Tropos equipment. MobilePro will deploy and manage Tempe’s wireless network covering the complete 40-square-mile area of Tempe, reaching more than 65,000 households, 1,100 businesses, 50,000 students and hundreds of thousands of annual visitors.
