Internet - To - Go
A Small Mobile Satellite System
for Internet Access Anywhere
Dr. Bob Dixon
Chief Research Engineer
OARNet
and
Ohio State University
©2004 Robert S. Dixon All Rights Reserved.
Transportable System Design Goals
Provide high-speed Internet access for ALL purposes,
including computers, telephones and PDAs.
•Inexpensive to build and operate
•Off-the-shelf parts for easy duplication
•Easy to operate by one person with one day training,
with NO hand tools.
•Small and light
•Reliable and adaptable to diverse field conditions
•Easily modified
©2004 Robert S. Dixon. All Rights Reserved.
Planned Applications
•Emergency communications.
•Provide distance learning in under connected
locations such as rural areas and inner cities.
•Link field research to campus computers and
laboratories and collaborators worldwide.
•Link field instruction and demonstrations to
campus classrooms.
•Link field activities to remote databases, eg via
PDAs.
•Special events, conferences, fairs, etc.
•Remote monitoring of construction projects.
©2004 Robert S. Dixon. All Rights Reserved.
Some Actual Applications
National Farm Progress Show
rural Iowa, Sept 2002
Distance Learning Conference
Worthington, Ohio October 2002
Kentuckyana Cattle Auction
rural Kentucky, February 2003
Lewis and Clark Re-enactment
Pennsylvania to Oregon and back
2003-2006
Ladysmith, WI School District.
Stark Co, OH Parks District.
Stark Co. OH Education District
Ladysmith-Hawkins School District
Ladysmith, Wisconsin
www.lhsd.k12.wi.us
Students aiding the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources tracking wolf pack
locations.
Involve classroom-based students in analysis of
stream quality and release of brown trout.
Virtual field trips to copper mines in Upper Michigan.
Stark/Portage (County) Area Computer
Consortium
www.stark.k12.oh.us
31 school districts
Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor
• “Virtual tours” to promote site visits and hands-on
research projects along the corridor and its
associated rivers.
• Corridor as an outdoor classroom to monitor the
impact of human and ecological activities and
teach land stewardship.
Stark County Park District
http://www.starkparks.com/
Nature programs sent from parks to classrooms.
Example - Birds of Prey.
Satellite Trailer Subsystems
•Dish and Radio Transceiver
•Power
•Leveling and Aiming
•Heating and Cooling
•On-Board Computer
•Local Wired and Wireless Connections
•Specialized Remote Units
•Telephone
•Video Broadcasting and Conferencing
©2004 Robert S. Dixon All Rights Reserved.
Ground Station Power Alternatives
(ALL are provided)
Type of power
Running Time
Local Power Outlet
(long extension cord)
unlimited
Batteries via UPS
(computer controlled)
4 to 8 hours before
recharging
Gasoline generator
(pushbutton start)
3 days before
refueling
Also provides power to user-supplied equipment.
©2004 Robert S. Dixon All Rights Reserved.
Weatherproof Equipment Rack Cabinet
Mounted on shock absorbers.
Automatic thermostatically controlled heater.
Automatic thermostatically controlled ventilation fan.
No actual air cooling. Use provided parasol if needed.
Contents:
Radio transmitter and receiver
UPS and batteries (more batteries elsewhere)
Auditory dish aiming instrument
Ethernet switch, DHCP/NAT server
Laptop PC
Local wireless access point
Power line frequency meter
©2004 Robert S. Dixon All Rights Reserved.
Computing System
Laptop PC
Runs 3 special programs:
Satellite aiming
Dish Transceiver control and monitoring
UPS control and battery monitoring
Also supports all Internet access tools such as:
Web browsing
Email
H.323 Video Conferencing
Distance Learning tools
optional encryption
©2004 Robert S. Dixon All Rights Reserved.
Ground Station to Local Site Connection Alternatives
(ALL are provided)
1
2
3
Long-Range
wireless
(up to 20 miles)
Wall-Penetrating
wireless
(several non-metal walls)
Local Wireless
(1000 ft)
4
Transportable
Ground
Station
Local Ethernet
Cable (200 ft)
Local
Site
©2004 Robert S. Dixon All Rights Reserved.
Specialized Remote Units
Boat
Automobile
Satellite
Trailer
Backpack
Equestrian
(Wearable heads-up display under development)
The Satellite Trailer as a
Telephone Cell Tower
Handheld
Telephone
Satellite
Trailer
Telephony
Adapter
Cordless
Telephone
5 miles
Handheld
Telephone
Up to 4 telephone lines and 36 telephones, local wireless.
©2004 Robert S. Dixon. All Rights Reserved.
Transportable Satellite Internet System
©2004 Robert S Dixon. All Rights Reserved.
Transportable Satellite Internet System
©2004 Robert S Dixon. All Rights Reserved.
Internet2 Confence
Washington, DC
Tachyon Central
Ground Station
San Diego, CF
Earth
Satellite
Internet2
Lewis and Clark
Keelboat on
Mississippi River
Lewis and Clark
Shore Encampment
near St Louis, MO
Total one-way path length 50,000 miles.
Small Satellite
Trailer
Weekly Educational Broadcasts and Conferences
Lewis and Clark
Mobile Satellite Link
MORENet
Apple
Research Channel
Internet