CSIRO develops wireless bush broadband

Nov 4, 2010 1:53 AM
Filed under Telco/ISP

Ngara technology offers 12Mbps via TV.

CSIRO has developed wireless technology that could bring 12Mbps connectivity to rural Australia via a television set-top box.

The so-called Ngara system provided up to six users with a constant data transfer rate, regardless of others' uploads, within the spectrum of a single, seven-megahertz television channel.

According to Gartner's wireless research director Robin Simpson, the network could use analogue television channels as Australia moved to digital technology.

"This means any rural property or business that can currently receive TV signals could in future connect to high-speed internet just by using a new set-top box," he stated.

Ngara had a spectral efficiency of 20 bits per second per Hertz - 10 times the industry's minimum standard, CSIRO claimed.

The researchers were currently testing the downlink component of the technology, which would also be 12Mbps per user, in accordance with the Government's connectivity promises.

CSIRO ICT centre director Ian Oppermann said Ngara would enable those outside the National Broadband Network's reach to access broadband internet.

"Even with just half of our system completed, CSIRO is already helping define the future of wireless technology," he said.

2 comments in this discussion

"@davmel, LTE Advanced may and probably is a better use of that spectrum. But your assertion that the research is a waste of money is very misguided, as it was such misguided research by the CSIRO ..."

By BB2

Tags

scitech, csiro, nbn, ngara, wireless

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Comments: 2

davmel

Nov 4, 2010 6:10 PM

Only 6 users per 7 MHz TV channel!!!!!!!!!!!
ROTFLMAO!
With only 18 TV channels being converted for the digital dividend the system could only support 108 users per TV transmission tower!
It would be a monumental waste of spectrum for the 700 MHz band to be wasted on this joke from the CSIRO compared to being fully utilised with far more spectrally efficient LTE-Advanced. LTE-Advanced is far more versatile and would benefit many more people (not just fixed site users).
This research by the CSIRO is just another waste of tax payer dollars that could be better spent elsewhere.

BB2

Nov 5, 2010 8:59 AM

@davmel,

LTE Advanced may and probably is a better use of that spectrum. But your assertion that the research is a waste of money is very misguided, as it was such misguided research by the CSIRO that invented spread spectrum aka WIFI / 802.11b,g,n etc in the first place, so give them their due respect.

One problem with the NBN rollout is that most people will take the EASY route (no pun intended ;-) ) and will put in a wireless router to service their house. Now imagine most houses in every street having one, not to mention the phones and other junk using the same spectrum and guess what, channel gridlock on current spread spectrum bands, so IMHO I think they need some extra bandwidth as well.

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