Q) What type of technology do you use?

A) The wireless technology being used is frequency hopping spread spectrum operating in the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz ISM (Industrial-Scientific-Medical) band. We also have broadband equipment that operates in the 5.3GHz and 5.7GHz UNII (Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) bands.

Q) Having looked at several wireless technologies, one concern that I have is the protection of the frequency for a particular area. I understand that licensing isn't required, but maybe it's preferable. Is licensing a frequency beneficial?

A) Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum creates a selectable wide-band channel for data communication. Output power is spread across the ISM frequency band and the signal is broadcast over the selected range of channels in random sequence within the ISM band. Given this, the selected frequencies we are using within the ISM band are exclusive to Spread Spectrum devices, which are limited in legal power output by the FCC and regulatory authorities in each country. Therefore the probability of another Spread Spectrum transmission occurring at the exact moment, time, channel, and path as our transmission occurs is remote. We will address this in more detail later.

Q) How is it better than the phone company's T-1?

A) MKL.Net's wireless solution is significantly more cost effective to install and maintain in comparison to T-1's, or other landlines. The MKL.Net user maintains 24-hour connectivity with no additional metering or additional usage fees from the telephone company.

Q) Who will install all the hardware?

A) Prior to installation, the first step is to have a detailed RF propagation study/site survey performed by the Authorized Reseller or MKL.Net Technical Services department. This study will determine optimum system design and configuration to provide the desired wireless service area and data throughout. Once this has been accomplished, it is highly recommended that MKL.Net, or Authorized Reseller perform the installation. This will ensure that your MKL.Net solution is operating at maximum efficiency and therefore delivering optimum service to your valued customers. In addition, you will receive on-site training on the use, precautions, and maintenance of your Real Ethernet system.

Q) Do you offer a guarantee on your products?

A) Yes. We provide a standard system warranty including 1-year parts should the equipment malfunction. However, the wireless coverage area and desired data throughout can only be guaranteed if MKL.Net or authorized reseller performs both the RF propagation study/site survey and complete system installation and training.

Q) What are the system requirements?

A) Windows 98SE or better for IBM compatibles and Mac's G3 or higher for Macintosh.

Q) Do you provide tech support for my business?

A) We will supply all technical support as it relates to the function of the wireless network, WASP, and Client radio configuration.

Q) What server software or other interface do I need?

A) The RealEthernet™ WASP needs only to be connected to a 10mb ethernet connection, and configured with your specific IP addressing scheme.  The client site equipment consists of the wireless radio and router (to interface between the client's network and the wireless network). For smaller sized clients, we recommend using a Linux router to be more cost-effective.

Q) What is the range for the RealEthernet WASP?

A) RealEthernet WASP units have an effective range of up to 20 kilometers point to point. They will service an area of up to 5-8 kilometers in diameter with omni-directional antenna. It must be noted however that these distances are only achievable with proper system design and installation. Additionally, urban areas with tall buildings, mountainous regions, and other geographical considerations may require additional Last Mile system infrastructure to achieve these results.

Q) I've heard a lot about wireless Internet service delivery. How is RealEthernet™ Wireless different from existing technologies?

A) RealEthernet™ is unique in a variety of ways. For example, other wireless ISP products are designed to provide varying amounts of bandwidth (typically 28.8 - 256 Kbps) based upon the number of users that happen to be accessing the system at any given time. RealEthernet™, however, provides customers with bandwidth from 128 Kbps up to nearly 3Mbps for each subscriber. The amount of dedicated bandwidth available to the customer is selected during the client software installation.

Q) With no subscriber phone line, where is the Internet connection source?

A) The Internet connection comes from the wireless link between the RealEthernet™ WASP, which is the central hub to the wireless Internet network, and the client wireless radio equipment. The WASP is connected to the Internet Service Provider's data network, which is in turn connected to the Internet. The wireless link therefore replaces standard telephone and dedicated data lines (frame relay, T-1, ISDN, etc).

Q) How fast is the delivery speed?

A) High speed data transfer speed is a primary feature of the RealEthernet™ system. The system will support Internet access speeds of up 3 Mbps per client radio. The speed of each wireless connection is to be controlled by the Internet Service Provider and client configuration. In comparison, a current-model, wired modem, typically supports access speeds of 33Kbps or 56Kbps. Additionally, with Last Mile there are no busy signals.


Q) Will RealEthernet™ cause interference with my radio or cell phone?

A) The client radio equipment transmits in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Standard cell phones operate in the 800 MHz range, with digital PCS phones operating at 1.9 GHz. In rare occurrences, if you hold an 800 MHz cell phone right against the radio antenna, you may receive some interference on your phone. Otherwise, from normal operation you will not receive any interference on either your cell phone or radio.

Q) Do I have to buy the radio?

A) End users will need a RealEthernet™ Client Radio and antenna. The client will normally pay a monthly fee and rent the radio and the internet service.

Q) Will RealEthernet™ Company help me to download faster?

A) Yes! In general you will notice a significant improvement in performance over dial-up access based upon how much RealEthernet™ bandwidth you choose to purchase (128 Kbps to nearly 3 Mbps). However, there are unique considerations with regard to overall performance that you must be aware of. Internet access will be faster, but your overall speed will also depend on how busy the server you are accessing is. For example, when a user tries to download Netscape Navigator from their web site, there will probably be only a small overall improvement in performance. The reason is simple: At any given time during any typical day there are over 1.5 million people visiting Netscape's web site. The rule of thumb to remember is this: Internet access is only as fast as the slowest connection in the chain is.

The most common surprise for first time users of high-speed wireless access to the Internet is realized when these users get on-line with RealEthernet™ for the first time. They realize that while previously they were accustom to waiting for their modem to catch-up during a download, they now see their speedy wireless Internet connection waiting for some slow server they are accessing to catch up to them!

Lan-to-Lan Spread Spectrum Radio Link Performance and Implementation

Spread Spectrum radio is a lower cost, convenient way to connect LANs between buildings. Spread spectrum links come with a wide range of performance availability, from 1 Mbps to 100 Mbps, and operate in the license-free ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) bands. Spread spectrum radio is quick to implement and can be a very effective alternative to fiber or telephone company connectivity. To obtain the most out of the system you choose, the quality of the installation is paramount. A clear signal will allow the system to perform better because packets do not have to be retransmitted. Retransmissions that eat up bandwidth need to be avoided at all costs. Most spread spectrum products may be considered customer-installable when there is a clear line of sight (LOS) between buildings. Typical, easy installations are across the parking lot or down the street. At the same time, customer installed systems are sometimes a frustrating experience or more difficult than they need to be due to a lack of knowledge about the techniques professionals use. The longer the path of transmission, the harder it gets. To start out on the right foot, a path analysis is a necessity. The path analysis includes: the determination of line of sight, identification of potential obstacles, calculation of path loss, calculation of reflection points, power required to make a good link, and definition of the appropriate antennae.

Defining Line of Sight

LOS, or line of sight, means just what it says: The antennas can see each other. It does not mean that you can see a sparse outline of the target building through a forest of trees or that you know where the building is even though you cannot see it. For longer distances, clearance above objects at the center of the transmission path becomes important. The center path of the signal would be found if you were to imagine taking a string and connecting the antennas end to end. Clear line of sight includes clearance below the string and above all objects so that the radio signal can propagate without reflection over the path. A rule of thumb is to have 12 feet per mile of clearance at the center of the path between the two points you are connecting. How can you obtain a line of sight? The best way is to get on top of the building and look before you buy. Most often, if you can see the building or part of it, there is a way to obtain line of sight. Poles or towers can be installed or you can hop to a structure that is a high point that can see both buildings to repeat the signal. In many cases permission to mount an antenna is only a phone call away. For example, five schools in Illinois use two local commercial grain elevators to repeat a signal to connect to the Internet.

How much power do I need?

In the U.S. power is limited for unlicensed ISM bands to 36dB or 4 watts effective rated power (ERP). The ERP is measured by adding the dB's from the radio plus the gain from the antenna minus the losses from cable, connectors, lightning arrestor and filter, if any. Decibels or dB's are simple in concept but confusing for most to determine. Antenna gain is a measure of the directionality of the antenna or how narrow the transmission beam is when it focuses the energy from the radio. The more directional an antenna, the more likely it may be used to overcome poor line of sight clearance or radio interference and the greater the achievable distance. A radio's receiver sensitivity or receive threshold is key in the professional path analysis to determine power requirements. Receive threshold is the lowest signal strength at which a radio can differentiate its partner. s signal and interpret the results of the transmission. Receive thresholds for the spread spectrum radios are generally about 80dB or .00000001 mw. It is difficult to imagine how a device can pull from the air, identify and understand such a small amount of energy traveling at the speed of light, but that is the miracle of radio. Given the small receive power levels available to make the connection, it is important to align antennas for maximum signal strength. Better wireless systems can identify relative signal strength at the base station using built-in diagnostics. In summary, implementation of a spread spectrum wireless link can have many benefits but, unless you are shooting across the street or down the block, professional installation may pay for itself in the quality of the link, less hassle and greater satisfaction. For more information, call MKL.Net Wireless at (607) 967-3800.