International Summit for Community Wireless Networks

This panel will discuss several initiatives designed to improve the Media Access Layer and enhance performance by using high gain antennas to extend range. An especially relevant topic for rural areas where interference, the Achilles' heel of WiFi, is less pronounced and the lack of traditional infrastructure prevalent, this panel will focus on how initiatives have been implemented and networks established in countries of South America, Africa, and India. New results on wireless link trials at distance of hundreds of kilometers and the use of low cost instruments for the required antenna alignment will be presented. Furthermore, panelists will discuss the use of intelligent charge controllers and energy efficient devices that decrease wasted power, of particular importance where fotovoltaic energy is the only viable source. (less...)