Of the standard HaLow we had already talked about in 2021: it allows data transfer wirelessly over long distances without resorting to directional antennas. Also known as IEEE 802.11ah, HaLow was presented in 2016 but – thanks to a series of increasingly mature implementations – it is now starting to register growing interest.
The technicians of Morse Microa company specialized in the design and production of wireless solutions, has demonstrated the potential of the HaLow standard by managing to exchange data up to distance of 3 kilometers. The practical test is available in this video published on YouTube.
Thanks to HaLow, WiFi devices can extend signal coverage in the order of kilometers
As you can see, the network bandwidth detected during the tests varied from 11 Mbps at a distance of 500 meters to down to 1 Mbps at a maximum distance of 3 kilometers. In any case, even in the most extreme condition, the bandwidth it proved to be enough to keep a video call going.
What is most impressive is not only the data relating to scope of the HaLow signal but its ability to ensure a stable connection even over long distances, despite all the interferenze wireless present in the real world (think, for example, of those found in the most populous urban areas).
It goes without saying that scenarios like the one described by Morse Micro they are not so important for those who want to travel considerable distances from the WiFi access point installed in their home, office or company. Instead, they prove to be crucial in the world ofInternet of Things (IoT): thanks to HaLow it is possible to distribute and interconnect devices spread over vast territories.
HaLow, soon to be the first choice in the IoT sector
The practical applications of HaLow in the IoT space can include remote sensors, environmental monitoring, tracking devices, security systems and more. Wi-Fi HaLow offers reliable, long-range, low-power connectivity, making it particularly suitable for scenarios where the deployment of a rete IoT efficient and scalable.
Morse Micro carried out the tests using its SoC WiFi HaLow MM6108Wi-Fi Alliance and FCC certified, which is already actively in production.
LoRaWAN has a significantly greater “range” (over 10 km in rural areas) but the bandwidth is very limited. With HaLow, however, it is possible to offer very respectable performances at distances unimaginable with the WiFi standards we all know (unless you use high gain directional antennas).
The opening image is taken from the Morse Micro video.