BIOELECTROMAGNETICS, INC.
744 Winston Way
Hartland, WI 53029
Phone: (262)367-5857
Fax: (262)367-7013
To: Tom Jackson, Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Platteville, Wisconsin 53818
From: Ken Schlager, Ph.D., P.E., President, Bioelectromagnetics, Inc.
Date: December 2004
Subject: SBIR Final Report Project Summary on my Broadband
Telecommunications for Rural America project in Rusk County.
Project Period: May 15, 2004 - December 31, 2004
Topic Area: Rural and Community Development
Purpose of the Research:
The purpose of this Phase I research was to evaluate alternative existing and emerging broadband telecommunications technologies for rural/small community application and to select one of these technologies for a preliminary system design and field evaluation. A major feature of the selected technology and system would be its potential universal application to all areas of a rural county and not just the major population centers. The goal was truly Broadband Telecommunications for Rural America.
Research Project Description:
An intensive market/needs study was conducted to determine first the nature and extent of existing and emerging broadband telecommunications services in Rusk County and their performance levels and costs. Private sector and public sector needs for broadband telecommunications services were then investigated using both personal interviews with key informants and a mail survey. An in-depth analysis was made of public sector needs in public safety, education and health care. The market study was concluded with revenue projections for the proposed broadband telecommunications system.
A comprehensive review of current and emerging wireline and wireless broadband technologies was performed to determine their potential application to universal broadband service in a rural county. This review revealed that only a hierarchical mesh wireless network based on 802.11/802.16 IEEE standards technologies was capable of universal, county-wide broadband communications in low density rural counties.
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A hierarchical mesh network design was then pursued starting with a network topology layout and proceeding to an extremely detailed definition of the communications equipment (hardware) and supporting software necessary to implement the system design at the subscriber level. A low initial equipment cost was achieved by using IEEE standard 802.11a equipment modules now widely available at sub-$100 retail electronic store prices. An upper level backhaul mesh network design was based on upcoming IEEE 802.16 standard equipment. The final design activity is related to the routing software which will direct network traffic to either internal network destinations within the county or to the Internet for outside destinations.
The hierarchical mesh network design was then adapted to the Rusk County terrain and existing telecommunications infrastructure. The purpose of this simulated deployment was twofold:
1. To determine that the network design could provide universal service to all
areas of Rusk County.
2. To allow for an estimate of the initial capital investment required.
Summary of Findings:
1. A high speed, county-wide, wireless broadband communications system would
accelerate economic development and improve quality of life in Rusk County.
2. This system would satisfy important current and future needs in both the public and private sectors of the economy and would generate sufficient revenue and profits to represent an excellent return of the relatively low initial investment.
3. The hierarchical mesh network design provides a broadband communications system capable of serving all parts of even a low density rural area such as Rusk County, WI.
4. The hierarchical mesh network is capable of evolving with new advances in
communications technology, particularly with the trend to higher frequencies and still faster data rates because of the short user-to-user links characteristic of the mesh network topology.
Potential Applications:
The primary potential applications of the Phase I research and hierarchical mesh network communications systems are:
1. Any rural county/province in the U.S. and similar countries providing universal broadband service even in low density areas.
2. As a mobile 4G (fourth generation) broadband communications system in suburban as well as rural counties anywhere in the U.S. and similar countries for public as well as private sector use.