The Solution: Adapt4 has two, the XG1™ and XG2plus™...
XG1
Adapt4's XG1™ product provides from 30 to 180 kbps of data throughput. The cognitive radios provide point-to-multipoint (star) and point-to-point connectivity. It supports Ethernet (including IP data) and serial data communications. XG1 cognitive radios use the patented ASAP (Automatic Spectral Adaptation Protocol) cognitive frequency management in which the radio may use up to 45 radio channels simultaneously, each of which can instantly change to avoid interference - this requires no human intervention. XG1 networks support a wide variety of applications through the radio's Ethernet and serial interfaces. With its multicarrier capability, the XG1 cognitive radio can support a variety of applications, including SCADA, telemetry, security (including video surveillance), mobile IP and others.
XG2plus
Adapt4's XG2plus™ is a low-cost, single-carrier cognitive radio that provides 10 or 20 kbps of data throughput for high-speed SCADA links. It provides point-to-multipoint (star), including repeater sites, two-hop mesh, and point-to-point connectivity. It supports Ethernet (including IP data) and serial data communications. XG2Plus cognitive radios use patent-pending AFS (Adaptive Frequency Selection) cognitive frequency management in which one of up to 10 alternate channels is used, automatically changing to an alternate channel upon detecting interference.
The XG2plus enjoys full integration with various telemetry and SCADA networking products, including support for Modbus, DNP3 and BSAP protocols.
Versatility
Both the XG1™ and XG2plus™ radios operate in bands below 900 MHz, so the network owner has wide coverage with a secondary license, thereby avoiding the circus atmosphere and poor coverage of the higher-frequency unlicensed bands. (Additional bands will be added in the future.)
The XG1 and XG2plus cognitive radios have Ethernet and serial ports. Ethernet enables a wide variety of switched and IP data applications. The XG1 operates as an Ethernet switch and is therefore transparent to the network layer, such as IP, IPX and others. Adapt4 has qualified several Ethernet cameras for use over the network and many others will work without problem. The serial ports of both radios support a variety of asynchronous RS-232 applications, including transparent async, SCADA protocols and telemetry protocols. Asynchronous data can also be tunneled over Ethernet. XG1 and XG2plus cognitive radios also enjoy full integration with various telemetry and SCADA networking products.
Immunity to Band-Crowding
Adapt4 is a pioneer in implementing practical, cognitive radios. The XG1 and XG2plus cognitive radios are the first commercial products of their kind. The XG1's and frequency management feature enables the radios to constantly scan the entire band to look for and avoid interference from other users (including other secondary or primary licensees). Should a frequency in use by the XG1 suddenly become interfered with, the radio will instantly select a free channel from its constantly updated Free Channel List. Each of the radio's 1 to 45 channels is individually managed in this way, so that segments of bandwidth throughout the entire band can be used. And to minimize further the possibility of extended interference, the radio will constantly change its frequency even without interference to minimize its profile in the band. Similarly, the XG2plus constantly monitors each of its up to ten alternate channels so that it may choose one that is interference-free.
Coverage
The 217-220 MHz band has excellent propagation characteristics compared to the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and other unlicensed bands. The 217-220 MHz band is less susceptible to fading related to growing foliage, buildings, terrain and weather. Adapt4 will support other favorable bands in the future as well. The lower frequency permits the use of shorter towers at the remote sites (as little as 20 ft.) since the antennas do not have to be above the tree canopy.
Network Architecture
Networks comprised of XG1 and XG2plus cognitive radios may be configured as point-to-multipoint (star) fixed networks, with single or redundant base stations. This configuration also supports mobile applications. Each remote data radio can operate as a repeater station to link in distant remote data radios. The XG2plus also provides two-hop mesh networking for extended range.
Cost of Ownership
Perhaps the most important advantage of XG1 and XG2plus radio networks is cost of ownership. Some of the factors contributing to lower cost include:
Frequency Management: Every aspect of the radio configuration can be managed remotely...including frequency. This frequently eliminates the need of expensive truck rolls (site visits). In the case of frequency changes needed due to interference, human intervention is not needed at all; the secondary license permits operation in the entire band and the cognitive frequency management software automatically changes the frequencies as needed. Of course, the radio does not have to be changed out, as is the case of fixed-frequency radios.
Application Management: Radio software is downloadable over-the-air. In addition, the bandwidth of the radio service can be changed remotely through network management to accommodate new applications. So, unless new end-user hardware is to be added, no site visit is needed for product upgrades or configuration changes.
Network Management: The network management system enables the network operator to manage the network remotely. Network monitoring features minimize costly downtime through early detection of problems.
Select a product on the left to learn more about our product offerings.
