Requirements

• Macro Coverage for Extensive Area

  • Agricultural environments often span vast, open areas, necessitating Wi-Fi solutions that can provide macro coverage over several kilometers. This extensive range is crucial for ensuring connectivity across fields, allowing farmers to monitor crops, manage irrigation systems, and utilize automation technologies effectively. Achieving this level of coverage requires strategically placed APs and advanced antenna technology to minimize signal loss and ensure reliable connections even in remote locations.

• Support for Diverse Use Cases

  • The Wi-Fi network must accommodate a variety of applications, including:
    • IoT Sensors: These devices deployed in fields can monitor soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels. Wi-Fi connectivity allows farmers to receive real-time data, enabling precise irrigation and fertilization.
    • Drones for Aerial Surveillance: Drones equipped with cameras and sensors can survey large areas for crop health analysis, pest detection, and land assessment. Wi-Fi enables remote control and real-time data transmission from the drone to the farmer.
    • Field Equipment Automation: Tractors and other agricultural machinery can be equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity to enable automated operations, GPS navigation, and remote monitoring, enhancing operational efficiency.
    • Supply Chain Management: Wi-Fi connectivity supports tracking systems for agricultural products, allowing farmers to monitor the status of their goods throughout the supply chain, from farm to market.
    • Remote Surveillance and Security: Wi-Fi-enabled cameras can be installed around farms to monitor for theft, vandalism, and wildlife intrusion, providing peace of mind and enhancing security.

• Seamless Roaming

  • As farmers and equipment move across large agricultural sites, seamless roaming is critical to maintaining uninterrupted connectivity. The network should support automatic handoff between APs to ensure that devices remain connected as they traverse different areas, preventing data loss or interruptions in service.

Why Choose Altai

• Super Wi-Fi Coverage by Altai Smart Antenna Technology

  • Altai’s patented antenna design and advanced signal processing algorithms effectively overcome Wi-Fi bottlenecks and enhance uplink performance for seamless connectivity across all devices. This optimization allows for a reduced number of APs while minimizing self-interference, lowering capital and operational expenditures.

• Guaranteed Service Level Assurance (SLA) with Altai AlwaysConnected Solution

  • The Altai AlwaysConnected feature employs a proprietary redundancy protocol that ensures optimal wireless link performance with failover capabilities for business-critical applications. This guarantees continuous connectivity and minimizes disruptions.

• Built with Industrial Grade Hardware

  • Altai APs are engineered to withstand demanding outdoor conditions. With an IP67 weatherproof rating, high wind survival capabilities, resilience to extreme temperatures, and surge protection, these devices are designed for robustness, making them ideal for extensive outdoor areas.

Application

As discussed above, the primary challenge lies in the vastness of the farmland, where limited power availability and the absence of fiber cabling restrict suitable locations for AP installation. To overcome these challenges, Altai proposes a comprehensive solution utilizing the A8n(ac), A8-Ein(ac), and AX600-S as base stations for long-range outdoor coverage.

To further extend the coverage, pairs of A2 or AX600-X can be employed for wireless backhaul to remote locations, where additional AX600-S, A3Ei, C2s, or CX600 units can be utilized for short- to mid-range coverage. These remote installations can be powered by solar energy, making them sustainable and efficient. Additionally, to enhance the robustness of the wireless link and ensure high-quality video streaming, a CPE device such as the C260-S, C2s, C1n, or C1an can be attached at the camera end. This integrated solution effectively addresses the connectivity challenges in smart agriculture, promoting better resource management and increased productivity.