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Their project is more focused on (but not limited to) the physical layer, particularly for cellular wireless networks. Usually in cellular (e.g. LTE, 5G) both
by sasaf5 6y ago
Their project is more focused on (but not limited to) the physical layer, particularly for cellular wireless networks.
Usually in cellular (e.g. LTE, 5G) both the mobile phone and the cell towers implement all of their PHY using a mixture of custom SoCs, FPGAs and DSPs, and all the code behind of this is as closed as it gets (even the drivers).
What they are doing is basically implementing as much as possible of their cellular network with code that is open. Literally getting the signal as close as possible from the antennas, sampling, and processing everything with code that can be studied and changed.
This openess makes it easier for researchers to develop new ideas for wireless networks (just reprogram your CPU, instead of having to beg to a manufacturer to provide SDKs for their super secretive equipment).
- iagovar 6y agoDon't know much of that. The ISP I work for just buys stuff from vendors and puts interface layers on top of it, which what I work with. I've seen some ground work and people just works with modules. I don't deny the value of such project as this modules cost some big money (and licenses), but unless they really do a very good job it will introduce too much complexity IMO. You can also call someone at $vendor and cry in their shoulder. It's already tiresome to work with different vendor quirks.
- bergstromm466 6y agoSuper helpful breakdown, thank you! And to OP for asking
- Abishek_Muthian 6y ago>This openess makes it easier for researchers to develop new ideas for wireless networks Could it be used as part of the stack to create city wide non-cellular wireless network for Internet[1], Are there any such current projects anywhere? [1]https://needgap.com/problems/51-non-cellular-network-mobile-internet-telecom-internet https://needgap.com/problems/51-non-cellular-network-mobile-...
- supertrope 6y agoNot really. The same economic and spectrum constraints apply. By the time you've extended the Wi-Fi PHY and built out a network to cover most of a city you've effectively reinvented LTE.
- Abishek_Muthian 6y ago>The same economic and spectrum constraints apply Single Indian Telecom (Airtel) paid ~ 2 Billion USD(current price) in 2016 for 173.8 Mhz spectrum across 1800/2100/2300 Mhz bands. Where as small YC startup(Link in my parent comment) has created Bangalore city wide WiFi Internet(2.4 Ghz/ 5 GHz has been made unregulated and free). So, definitely telecom spectrum cannot be called same as WiFi as one requires Billion dollar oligarchy to enter the space and the latter can be entered with 4 member startup team.
- amelius 6y agoWhat does MIMO stand for?
- xemoka 6y agoMultiple-Input Multiple-Output