OP of the article here. You are absolutely correct. The statement in the article is very much a simplification: in the real world, wireless communication is tri

OP of the article here. You are absolutely correct. The statement in the article is very much a simplification: in the real world, wireless communication is tricky. Not only are there issues such as the hidden node problem (and the exposed node problem, for that matter), but it also changes over time. It is possible to take these issues into consideration, but as you say, that requires a very different infrastructure than what this article is talking about. The way we do it at Thingsquare is to use a software-based simulator where we can both emulate the software on the devices and have full control of the simulated radio medium - if we need it. Sometimes using RF attenuators and/or cabling is useful. In the end, what it comes down to that each tool has one or more use cases where it shines, but there is no one tool that fits all.