World Wide KORUZA experiment

Wireless optical system ​KORUZA is a low-cost 3D printable communication system aimed to enable simple 1Gbps bridging between buildings at a distance up to 100m. It is designed to be simple and cost-effective for consumer networking as well as versatile, hackable and useful as a research FSO test-bed.

We are launching the worlds first free-space optical coordinated experiment, deploying KORUZA at various locations around the globe for 6-12 months to evaluate the communication channel as well as the system performance, creating the first open data set on performance of a FSO system and the communication channel. We are inviting community networks and research institutions to participate in the experiment and sponsor deployments.

In August 2014 KORUZA has reached the alpha prototype stage, by constructing the units for the experiment we are preparing the documentation and design for the release this fall.

KORUZA for community networks

Community networks tend to have throughput problems in urban areas due to spectrum congestion, however KORUZA offers an alternative approach ready to be tested. We are inviting networks to deploy the experimental links in their networks, pass real data through it however still keep the current RF links for the experimental duration as the fall-over option. The information gathered and findings from this experiment will feed back to the design and enable everyone to construct units on their own at a later time, deploying them in the network.

KORUZA as a research testbed

Experimental evaluation of FSO systems is traditionally associated with high costs and design complexity due to the high complexity of currently available systems and their significantly integrated nature. Often this prohibits researchers to modify systems and test their work, requiring them to construct their own systems. KORUZA as an open-source system mitigates these problems, the design transparency enables simple modification and adaptation to for a range of purposes. A local performance baseline is created over the period of 6-12 months, later enabling researchers to later modify the devices, improve them with their own transceivers, apply control and auto-tracking algorithms or modify otherwise and compare results to the baseline.

For example, the mechanical collimation system can be scaled and extended to support different lens sizes and focal lengths. The low-cost transceiver module with OOK can be replaced by the fibre or modules supporting more complex modulation schemes. The alignment system is replaceable and upgradable for greater precision. Control electronics module is simple to modify in Energia (Arduino like) environment, allowing for extension with sensors, actuators and other devices.

Motivation

• KORUZA needs to be properly tested in real-world scenarios over a longer period of time
• there is no open data-set on FSO channel behaviour at a large number of locations
• there are no comparable open-source projects to be used as a testbed and development basis for FSO research

Experimental aims

This experiment has been designed to meet the following aims:

1. Evaluate the long-term outdoor performance of KORUZA
   • Identify intermittent error sources (random event)
   • Identify periodic error sources (daily temperature variations...)
   • Establish communication link annual availability
2. Create a system performance baseline for use as a research testbed
3. Create an open data-set for research and development of FSO
4. Prepare the system for the open-source release

Experiment design

KORUZA experiment consists of two devices, one at either side of the link between buildings or structures 50-150m apart with a clear line of sight. Every device is extended with test equipment and sensors to evaluate the performance, link properties as well as observing environmental parameters. Measurements are collected at the rate of 1Hz, except the optical received power at the rate of 10Hz, made available in real time through nodewatcher platform. Test units are a part of the wlan slovenija community network, using the VPN service to connect to the server and establishing a data collection link.

KORUZA unit

Every communication unit is equipped with the range of sensors to monitor the following parameters:

• optical communication module (Temperature, Voltage, TX power, TX current, RX power, Link LOS state)
• structure monitoring (Temperature 3D printed structure, Temperature enclosure, accelerometer)
• control system and environment (Voltage, Ambient light, Temperature)

KORUZA test device

The test device is deployed next to ever unit to generate traffic and test for packet loss, aggregate all measurement and connect to the internet. It consists of:

• openwrt capable 1Gbps router (WR1043 v2, WDR4300...)
• USB webcam C270 (one side of the link)
• USB link to KORUZA
• USB weather station WH1080 (only on one side of the link, Temperature, Relytive humidity, Rain, Wind speed and direction)

Experimental deployment set

Participants in the experiment receive the assembled, calibrated and tested KORUZA devices ready to install, containing the following:

• 2pcs assembled, calibrated and tested KORUZA generation 5 units (wavelength complementary pair)
• 2pcs KORUZA test devices
• Mounting kit for wall or railing
• WH1080 weather station (sourced by the experimental partner)

Participants are required to:

• make sure deployment locations have
  • uninterruptible mains or 12V DC power supply
  • ethernet internet uplink
  • stable mounting (railings, wall, optionally free standing concrete blocks)
• deploy and maintain the equipment for the duration of the experiment
• keep devices unmodified unless otherwise instructed for the duration of the experiment
• provide feedback

Participation

The experiment is open for anyone to participate in, however we call for sponsorship and donations to be able to construct experimental devices and prepare them for deployment.

Experimental equipment is provided by ​Institute IRNAS Rače and sponsored by partners, with the estimated equipment cost of approximately 1500EUR per setup. These funds go towards:

• Material end equipment costs (~40%)
• Development costs (~20%)
• Work costs (~40%)

We would like to deploy at least 10 experiments to have a good distribution of units into various environments and cover all the costs.

Apply

To participate in the experiment please send the following information to info [at] irnas.eu.

• Organization details
• Proposed deployment location (GSP coordinates of link endpoint locations)
• Short description of currently running FSO experiment at location, if any
• Desired duration of participation, 6 or 12 months

Current participants

Real time experimental data is available for all the deployed experiments.

Installation details

This section details the installation procedure and is being updated regularly.

Wiring

Wiring of the experimental units is very simple and requires only two connections.

• Mains or 12V DC 1.5A power source
  • mains is wired to the socket provided in the box
  • or 12V DC wired directly to the DC split terminal
• Ethernet uplink, preferably with DHCP server on it

The experimental unit A should be extended with a USB weather station. Install the indoor weather station in the unit A box and connect it to USB port 2 with the provieded USB-A USB-A cable.

Mounting

KORUZA generation 5 units have the mounts installed on top and can be bolted to another object in the following ways

• to horizontal pipe of diameter 35mm to 75mm
• to a plate with 10mm holes, M8 screws inserted from the opposite side of the plate, 92mm center to center
• to a wall with 4pcs 6mm screws

The mechanical drawing of the bracket can be used to prepare the screws for wall mounting or mounting to a plate.