Lower Wireless Costs

This new capability eliminates the need for expensive repeaters when transmitting around barriers. Wireless transceivers are typically networked in star topologies, with a base station communicating directly with each node. When barriers such as large storage tanks or steep hills exist within the network area, repeaters function as intermediaries, forwarding data between base station and impeded nodes. With the new store-and-forward capability, any node with a clear path to both the base station and another node can assume the role of repeater. The capability also extends network reach, says the vendor; the 20-mile range of the 900MHz WIT910 and HN-291, and the seven-mile range of the 2.4GHz WIT2450 and HN-250, can be multiplied by the number of units employed in a store-and-forward link.