Astrea – Proof of Concept with Redline TVWS

Astrea (formerly Packerland/Lighthouse.net), based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Astrea services the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; this service area is primarily deciduous and fir forests making it challenging to use line-of-site (LOS) unlicensed bands like 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz. To solve their non-line-of-site (NLOS) challenges they have traditionally used 900MHz spectrum. The new government requirement to provide 25Mbps downlink (DL) and 3Mbps uplink (UL) means that the 900MHz band cannot support this requirement due to the small amount of available spectrum (26MHz). So, another non-line-of-site band with more than 26MHz of spectrum needed to be considered, which opened the door for TV White Space (TVWS).

TVWS, which operates from 470MHz to 614MHz, can address the NLOS requirements and with a larger amount of available spectrum it meets the new government regulations of minimum DL and UL speeds. This band comes with its own set of challenges, but with some guidance from Redline, it can be determined if TVWS will work in your service area.

Astrea requires NLOS coverage 3 to 5 miles from each tower. This spectrum cannot interfere with the existing overused and noisy 900MHz spectrum but needs to complement the NLOS coverage and maybe even replace marginal 900MHz links.

Before any equipment is installed, there are basic steps that will help determine if TVWS is a good candidate for the service area.

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About Redline

Redline Communications (TSX:RDL) designs and manufactures powerful wide-area wireless networks for mission-critical applications in challenging locations. Redline networks are used by Oil & Gas companies onshore and offshore, Mining companies on surface and underground operations, Distribution Utilities for last mile broadband, Municipalities to remotely monitor infrastructure, and by specialized telecom service providers to deliver premium services. Hundreds of businesses worldwide rely on Redline to engineer, plan and deliver ruggedized, secure and reliable networks for their IoT, voice, data, and video communications needs.