Smaller, Faster and More Convenient: Inside the IoT and Outdoor Mesh APs

The mobile-first workforce of the modern world means that fast, wireless access to the Internet and connected devices is a growing need of businesses. Wireless technologies are a core part of an enterprise’s network solutions. The Internet of Things (IoT) is making it necessary to guide the effective integration of connected devices that communicate with each other. To accomplish this seamless connection, the right technology must be in place for those devices to communicate effectively and efficiently.

Truly efficient business environments depend on a reliable and fast network to meet the rising demand for bandwidth. In order to support enterprise mobility activities such as user-owned devices, IoT and digital content consumption, Samsung’s WLAN solutions provide improved end-user experiences with faster connectivity, battery life preservation and maximum airtime for devices.

Samsung Electronics is now at the center of enterprise network solutions, launching IoT access points (AP) that support multiple interfaces, including Wi-Fi, ZigBee and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), as well as the industry’s smallest Outdoor Mesh AP.

IoT AP Enables WiFi, ZigBee and Bluetooth

Wireless LAN is a local area network, which allows high-speed Internet connection within a certain distance where wireless devices can connect through an access point. Samsung has recently launched two types of wireless LAN products. The first product is an IoT AP which supports both ZigBee and BLE. This is an industry-first product that supports Wi-Fi, ZigBee and BLE technology.

“The product was developed with the most careful consideration of the implementation of the highest level of technology so that problems such as interference did not take place when supporting Wi-Fi, ZigBee and BLE technology. These three technologies use the same frequency range so problems such as data loss could occur when users use the three technologies simultaneously. To prevent such problems, interference control technology among Wi-Fi, ZigBee and Bluetooth 2.4G communication technologies were developed and applied,” said Deahyun Lee, Principle Engineer at Networks Business.

Developing such technology meant success in intelligent control of the ZigBee device using local information received via BLE signals. For instance, the building management system detects the number of people on a certain floor by a BLE signal, which is widely adopted for smartphones, and controls the temperature of the floor by signaling the air conditioning system using a ZigBee signal. With Samsung IoT AP, there is no need to install extra a BLE beacon or ZigBee equipment.

“The IoT AP was originally planned with shopping malls, department stores and hospitals as the primary target market, where the BLE-based location services are required. To do this, after the product development was complete, a detailed analysis on the effect of the product was carried out on-site, by visiting large shopping malls nearby,” noted Julee Lee, Product Planner at Networks Business.

“As the first product in the industry to implement such technology, Samsung will be able to enter the Smart building market with other illumination and air ventilation system industries that require energy saving,” she added.

The IoT AP product integrates all Wi-Fi technology required in an enterprise environment, in addition to integrating convenience, service optimization and strong security. A wireless LAN product optimized for the IoT environment has been created.

Launching the Outdoor Mesh AP

Outdoor Mesh Access Points allow the wireless connection of numerous Aps, instead of using wired network cables. The advantages of an outdoor mesh system include eliminating physical restrictions and reducing the deployment costs.

The Outdoor Mesh AP recently launched by Samsung is the smallest in the industry, but is still technologically advanced. With an environmental protection rating of IP67, the Outdoor Mesh AP is safe from dust and debris and can be submerged in water up to one meter. At only 2.8kg, and only 58mm thick, the product can be easily transported and installed.

“The Outdoor Mesh AP is used in diverse locations in corporations and urban environments. This product can be deployed both indoors and outdoors so multiple environmental elements must be considered. For this reason, Samsung concentrated on implementing technology allowing easy deployment through a small design and easy notification of Wi-Fi status through LED lamp,” Edric Kim, Product Planner, explained.

“Moreover, to protect the product against bad weather conditions, Samsung Outdoor Mesh AP guarantees the IP67 certification, a rating higher than IP65, with its own waterproof and dustproof technology,” he added.

Principal Engineer, Young-Cheol Ham, addressed the test process in real environment. “This is a product developed after tests conducted in several locations within Korea, from boat race courses to embankments, to conduct various investigations on outdoor environment installations. Such experiences helped us check the competence of the product, working more accurately under any environmental conditions.

“The strengths of this product are optimization and recovery functionality among Air Time (own development) based on mesh-protocol based nodes (AP), provision of mesh service regardless of network topology (controller-based or local switching service mode) and utilization of optimal wireless resources when transmitting data between accessing terminal,” he concluded.

Samsung’s Outdoor Mesh APs are already installed in a lake park in Korea, and it allows people to fully enjoy the speed of 1G wireless internet service, even outdoors.

A Long Future of Wireless Technology

Data usage is only going to expand. The emergence of technologies that will make the lives of consumers simpler and more convenient are coming, like IoT. Samsung’s Smart WLAN, equipped with LTE technologies such as Scheduling, Handover and SON, guarantees high speed and seamless Wi-Fi service. Wireless intrusion prevention systems (WIPS) modules provide advanced security protection in the cost effective way.

Samsung has launched a dozen Smart WLAN products, mainly in Korea, Europe and North America. Samsung will launch diverse wireless APs which fits market needs, expanding to Asia, the Middle East and Africa.