User Tools

(aka 'the best point military institute')

Site Tools

radio:mesh

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
radio:mesh [2025/11/16 13:31] – [LoRaWAN] cocoradio:mesh [2025/11/17 11:04] (current) – coco
Line 1: Line 1:
 ====== Mesh Networking ====== ====== Mesh Networking ======
  
-**Mesh networking** is a decentralized wireless communication system in which each device //(or **"node"**)// acts as both receiver & repeater, automatically relaying data for other nodes. Instead of relying on a central router, access point, or cellular tower, messages “hop” from node to node until they reach their destination.+**Mesh networking** is a decentralized communication system in which each device //(or **"node"**)// acts as both receiver & repeater, automatically relaying data for other nodes. Instead of relying on a central router, access point, or cellular tower, messages “hop” from node to node until they reach their destination.
  
 The lack of central authority in mesh networks makes them extremely popular for those looking to bypass traditional ISP monopolies, [[hazards:stingray|cell towers]], and draconian censorship laws. The lack of central authority in mesh networks makes them extremely popular for those looking to bypass traditional ISP monopolies, [[hazards:stingray|cell towers]], and draconian censorship laws.
Line 41: Line 41:
 Unlike LoRaWAN, [[radio:meshtastic|Meshtastic]] is a true long-range mesh system built on LoRa hardware where every device is its own independent node. Meshtastic nodes automatically rebroadcast messages from nearby Meshtastic nodes, creating self-reliant off-grid text messaging & location-sharing networks that can transmit data up to a **whopping 37kbps!** It's not practical at all for transmitting media //(or anything with a large file size)// but it excels at plaintext, which is quite versatile if you know how to work it. Unlike LoRaWAN, [[radio:meshtastic|Meshtastic]] is a true long-range mesh system built on LoRa hardware where every device is its own independent node. Meshtastic nodes automatically rebroadcast messages from nearby Meshtastic nodes, creating self-reliant off-grid text messaging & location-sharing networks that can transmit data up to a **whopping 37kbps!** It's not practical at all for transmitting media //(or anything with a large file size)// but it excels at plaintext, which is quite versatile if you know how to work it.
  
-The Meshtastic firmware can be installed on any compatible [[tools:esp32|ESP32-based]] device. There are many prebuilt Meshtastic devices on Amazon, some of which have Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity. It is especially popular with hikers, preppers, and disaster-response groups. Range per hop is typically 5–20 km in good conditions.+The Meshtastic firmware can be installed on any compatible [[tools:esp32|ESP32-based]] device. There are many prebuilt Meshtastic devices on Amazon, some of which have Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity. It is especially popular with hikers, preppers, and disaster-response groups. Range per hop is typically 2-10 miles or 5–15 kilometers in good conditions, but records of 100-200 miles have been achieved.
  
 If you are new to mesh networking, Mestastic is one of the easier entry points. If you are looking to DIY your own Arduino-esque off-grid texting device with a 3D printed case, this is the network most hobbyists are doing that on. For more information on Meshtastic devices and how to use them, read our [[radio:meshtastic|Meshtastic guide]]. If you are new to mesh networking, Mestastic is one of the easier entry points. If you are looking to DIY your own Arduino-esque off-grid texting device with a 3D printed case, this is the network most hobbyists are doing that on. For more information on Meshtastic devices and how to use them, read our [[radio:meshtastic|Meshtastic guide]].
  
  
-=== Helium ===+=== MeshCore ===
  
-**Helium** is a **LoRaWAN-based** network originally launched in 2019, which uses community-deployed “Hotspots” that people buy and host at home. These hotspots provide long-range LoRaWAN coverage, relay data to the internet, and form a global blockchain-based network where participants originally earned $HNT cryptocurrency for proof-of-coverage & data transfer. Because of the financial incentive, Helium became notorious for its users setting up hotspots in National Parks & Forests.+[[github>meshcore-dev/MeshCore|MeshCore]] is another LoRa-based mesh, similar to Meshtastic and even runs on the same devices. Unlike Meshtastic's "flooding" approach //(where all messages are rebroadcast by any node until they reach their destination or hop limit)// Meshcore takes a "flood-then-direct" approach //(it floods initially to discover paths & efficient routes, falling back to flood only when necessary)//.
  
-In 2023–2024 the original project split: The IoT/LoRaWAN portion migrated to the Solana blockchain as **Helium IoT**, while a separate **Helium Mobile** network now focuses on 5G/cellular offloading using the same hotspot model & tokenomics. Today it remains one of the largest crowdsourced LoRaWAN networks, with hundreds of thousands of hotspots worldwide.+This and several other features makes MeshCore useful for large planned mesh networks. Since Meshtastic is primarily designed for quick-deployment by hobbyists, hikers & emergency response, it is easily overwhelmed in congested urban & corporate environments.
  
  
Line 57: Line 57:
 **Project OWL** //(**O**rganization, **W**hereabouts & **L**ogistics)// is an open-source initiative that centers on **"DuckLink"** devices: small, solar- or battery-powered LoRa nodes that form ad-hoc clusters called **ClusterDuck networks**. DuckLink nodes relay small data packets like location, messages, and sensor readings over distances up to 1 km per hop. Specialized nodes can be set up to communicate with smartphones and even function as internet gateways. **Project OWL** //(**O**rganization, **W**hereabouts & **L**ogistics)// is an open-source initiative that centers on **"DuckLink"** devices: small, solar- or battery-powered LoRa nodes that form ad-hoc clusters called **ClusterDuck networks**. DuckLink nodes relay small data packets like location, messages, and sensor readings over distances up to 1 km per hop. Specialized nodes can be set up to communicate with smartphones and even function as internet gateways.
  
-Like Meshtastic, it is a true open-source mesh system that can be run on any compatible device. Unlike Meshtastic, there is far more fine-grained control over how ClusterDuck networks behave. If you find yourself feeling 'limited' by Meshtastic, this option might be worth considering. +Like Meshtastic, it is a true open-source mesh system that can be run on any compatible device. Unlike Meshtastic, there is far more fine-grained control over how ClusterDuck networks behave. If you find yourself feeling 'limited' by Meshtastic, this option might be worth considering. 
 + 
 + 
 +=== Helium === 
 + 
 +**Helium** is a **LoRaWAN-based** network originally launched in 2019, which uses community-deployed “Hotspots” that people buy and host at home. These hotspots provide long-range LoRaWAN coverage, relay data to the internet, and form a global blockchain-based network where participants originally earned $HNT cryptocurrency for proof-of-coverage & data transfer. Because of the financial incentive, Helium became notorious for its users setting up hotspots in National Parks & Forests. 
 + 
 +In 2023–2024 the original project split: The IoT/LoRaWAN portion migrated to the Solana blockchain as **Helium IoT**, while a separate **Helium Mobile** network now focuses on 5G/cellular offloading using the same hotspot model & tokenomics. Today it remains one of the largest crowdsourced LoRaWAN networks, with hundreds of thousands of hotspots worldwide. 
  
  
Line 105: Line 112:
  
  
-{{tag>Communications}}+{{tag>Communications Networking}}
radio/mesh.1763299865.txt.gz · Last modified: by coco

Find this page online at: https://bestpoint.institute/radio/mesh