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ITS COMMUNICATION
NETWORK
CE 8140
Fall 2013

Technical Characteristic of Studied

Wireless Technologies

Key Characteristics
Specification
Each technology discussed is derived from an Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard.
Standards-based solutions allow for custom-off-the-shelf
(COTS) equipment to be used.
Licensed
Frequency that is used during transmission can be either
licensed, by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC), or unlicensed.
It is important to weigh the cost of obtaining licenses for
licensed bands with the potential interference faced if
using unlicensed frequencies.

Key Characteristics
Frequency
Wireless technologies transmit their data through a range of
frequencies specified by the FCC.
Frequency band utilized by the wireless technology plays a
major role in determining the range and penetration of the
wireless signal
Range
Range usually given is the maximum obtainable range for the
wireless technology; however, that range is not necessarily the
obtainable range at the maximum link rate.
Link Rate
Each wireless technology is capable of transmitting a certain
amount of information in bits per second--known as link rate.

Key Characteristics
Throughput
Throughput is the actual amount of user-generated data
that can be transmitted per second.
Line-of-sight (LOS) Requirements
A clear LOS between two communicating radios
enhances the signal strength and, thus, the achievable
link rate and throughput.
Range vs. Throughput

Communication Architecture
Infrastructure

Mesh

Mesh vs. Infrastructure

In terms of cost, a mesh solution will be superior to an

infrastructure deployment; simply because the number of

fiber optic Internet connections required in a mesh
deployment is considerably lower.
In terms of reliability, the infrastructure model is expected

to perform better because each of the node clusters has

its own connection and there is no forwarded traffic.

Data transmission within one mesh cluster

Data transmission within infrastructure cluster

Fiber Internet Connection

MJPEG video bandwidth requirements

Cisco 1310 with an estimated range of 865 feet at 54

Mbps and a range of 3465 feet at 11 Mbps when using

an omni-directional antenna.
WiMAX - an M/A-Com base station is expected to
produce a line-of-sight range of approximately 2.5
miles with an omni-directional antenna.

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Flowchart for network design

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ITS Equipment Layout- Greenville

Located on I-385, north of

I-85, with a satellite camera

located on I-85
approximately 2.5 miles
north of the I-385/I-85
intersection.
14 cameras to be

connected wirelessly

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CAMERA LOCATIONS

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Assumptions
The router/radio assumed will be the Cisco 1310, with an

estimated range of 865 feet at 54 Mbps and a range of

3,465 feet at 11 Mbps
1 Cameras (~1.7 Mbps)
1 RADAR devices (~0.6 Mbps)

Dynamic messaging signs require negligible bandwidth

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Wi-Fi infrastructure network

Divides the 14 traffic

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surveillance cameras into six

clusters:
Three groups of three,

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Two groups of two, and

One group of one

Total of six fiber-optic

Internet connections required

Fourteen Cisco 1310 radio

Camera

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98

99

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1911

4398

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1911

2495

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4398

2495

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Wi-Fi Mesh Network

Divides the fourteen traffic

surveillance cameras into

two mesh clusters
A group of six and
a group of eight.
A high-gain directional

antenna is connected to the

widely separated node
Total of two fiber-optic

Internet connections
required, and fourteen
Cisco 1310 access points

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Cost analysis

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Project instructions
Design infrastructure network and mesh network

communication system for the site locations assigned to your

group using Wi-Fi.
Perform a performance-cost analysis for your proposed

systems.
Consult the paper on wireless communication alternatives as a

guide.
The hybrid system should consist of a combination of wireless and

wired connections.
Utilize current location of devices and a TMC within 5 miles.

Provide reference/explanation for the performance and cost

assumptions in your analysis.

Consider 1000 ft extra fiber per mile for maintenance of the fiber optic

connection.

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Deliverables
A high level drawing showing the communication

hubs and wireless/wireline connectivity for your

proposed system (11x17 scaled drawing ).
Data transmission diagram for all clusters in mesh

network.
Project report:
Explanation of the methodology adopted, assumptions made and

performance-cost analysis .
Design of fiber optic cable for thebnearest fiber drop location to a

traffic management center (use the GDOT document).

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Hints
Do you need overhead fiber or underground? Can you go

over head when you are crossing the road?

Fiber drops are for overhead connections.
What are use of the slack loops or pull boxes? Do you

need them for your system?

Link to GDOT document (posted in Blackboard):

http://www.dot.ga.gov/travelingingeorgia/trafficcontrol/Doc
uments/TrafficSignals/TrafficSignalDesignGuidelines.pdf

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Data transmission within one mesh cluster