Canopy

Motorola's Canopy platform allows for the extension of LANs wirelessly between buildings (point to point) or the ability to provide Internet access to individual subscribers via wireless transmissions (point to multi-point).

The Canopy platform consists of three primary components: Access Points, Subscriber Modules, and Backhaul Modules (also called point-to-point, or PTP modules). Each are available in multiple broadcast frequency options (900 MHz, and 2.4, 4.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, and 5.7 GHz) and are offered with integrated or external antenna options.

Access Points provide the Internet access transmissions to individual subscribers. Each outdoor access point (approximately a foot in height, and 4 inches wide/deep) can support access for up to 200 subscribers in a 60 degree field; a full complement of access points (cluster) therefore consists of 6 such access points. The Access Point Cluster Management module consists of an Ethernet switch for connectivity to the LAN, GPS antenna/receiver for AP and BH synchronization, and a power supply sufficient for use with 8 Canopy modules (typically 6 APs and up to 2 optional BH modules). Canopy modules are powered via PoE.

On the user's side, individual outdoor Subscriber Modules are installed and aimed at the APs (again, supporting a 60 degree beamwidth). Subscriber Modules are similar to the access points themselves and provide connectivity between the subscriber's LAN and the access point cluster. Typical line of site ranges for access points are from 2 miles (for the higher frequencies) to 40 miles for the 900 MHz offering.

Finally, the PTP modules can be used for point-to-point communications, including providing or extending the base Internet access itself to the Access Points (both a Backhaul unit and an Access Point Cluster can be utilized at the same site). Backhaul modules support line-of-site transmission distances of up to 40+ miles, depending on frequency and conditions. Multiple backhaul models are offered by the vendor, with throughput ratings of from 17 to 300 Mb/sec.

Other and optional features of the Canopy platform include Canopy Prizm, software that combines operations management tools with subscriber authentication and bandwidth management capabilities; and the Canopy HotZone gear, which allows for the mesh-based extension of a Canopy deployment. Canopy HotZones are offered in three configurations (outdoor, mobile, and indoor) and provide the ability to extend the signal provided by a subscriber module in a meshed fashion to individual clients. The outdoor nodes provide the actual, automatically discovered mesh infrastructure itself; while indoor nodes provide the connectivity point from the home/business LAN to the mesh network. Both types of nodes provide 802.11b/g connections to subscribers via their 2.4 GHz radios.

Also available for use with Canopy platforms is the formerly named HotZone Duo mesh device, which is now part of the vendor's MOTOMESH product line (see our related product briefing).

Contact Motorola for further information.