Building the DragonBridge: Long-Range 802.11ah Wireless Networking with Drones and T-HaLow Devices
Join me on an exciting month long+ journey as I push the boundaries of wireless communication using the Lilygo T-HaLow 802.11ah devices in bridge mode! In this video, I demonstrate how I successfully established an SSH connection from my laptop, across six T-HaLow units—some mounted on two drones and others on the ground—to a Raspberry Pi ground station equipped with DragonOS pi64 and a KrakenSDR.
What You’ll See:
Innovative Network Setup: I configured three pairs of T-HaLow units, each pair consisting of an access point and a client. The first pair connected my laptop to the first drone. On each drone, I bridged two T-HaLow units via Ethernet, effectively creating a relay system. The second pair connected the two drones, and the third pair linked the second drone to the ground station Raspberry Pi.
Successful Long-Distance Communication: By the third attempt, I achieved a stable ping across the entire bridge and streamed IQ data from the SDR++ server on the Raspberry Pi to the SDR++ client on my laptop—over a distance of 1.6 km between drones!
Challenges and Triumphs: Experience the hurdles I faced, from connectivity issues to environmental obstacles, and how perseverance led to a successful connection.
Stunning Aerial Footage: Enjoy breathtaking drone shots that not only showcase the technology but also add a visual treat to the technical journey.
Why This Matters:
This project highlights the potential of increasing the standoff distance between equipment using 802.11ah technology, also known as Wi-Fi HaLow. Operating in the sub-1 GHz unlicensed bands, 802.11ah offers extended range and improved propagation through obstacles compared to traditional Wi-Fi frequencies. It’s designed for low-power, long-range connectivity with lower power consumption—ideal for IoT applications, remote deployments, and innovative projects like this DragonBridge.
Equipment Used:
Lilygo T-HaLow Units (kindly provided by Lilygo for testing)
–
Raspberry Pi with DragonOS pi64
–
KrakenSDR
–
SDR++ Software
Join Me:
Embark on this adventure to explore the possibilities of 802.11ah technology. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a drone hobbyist, or just curious about long-range wireless communication, this video has something for you!
WarDragon available here (when in stock):
Don’t miss out on staying connected: Catch updates on Twitter:
Supporting the channel: If you find this content helpful, please consider supporting the channel through Patreon:
[ad_2]
source
