WiBACK Technology
DeFuTech’s partner in connecting the unconnected,WiBACK, is a directed, “plug ‘n’ play” radio technology that can be easily used by virtually everyone due to its self-management features. These management mechanisms clearly distinguish it from alternative directed radio technologies, since they reduce the complexity and, thus, tremendously eases deployment and operation. The low complexity is achieved by intelligent algorithms, which allow WiBACK to be widely self-managed and to run autonomously. This reduces costs and time needed for setup and maintenance, but provides higher than usual reliability and quality as well.
WiBACK employs a centralized architecture, with one network controller that inherits the intelligence of the system. This controller configures the network. It controls and manages the WiBACK Nodes, the radio links set up between these and all traffic that runs over the network. One controller is needed per network.
An example of a typical network is depicted below. The links are typically between 1 and 20km and multiple spots are provided with various services. Since there is no Line-of-sight (LOS) between some of those spots solar powered rely nodes are additionally deployed.
Due to WiBACK’s self-configuration the deployment of a WiBACK network is ex-tremely easy and does not require any special trained staff. Besides mounting the nodes, pointing the antennas and, if required, connecting the solar cells, everything else is done by the WiBACK controller.
Distribution Partner.
DeFuTech UG – Deutsche Funktechnik is the primary partner and spin-off of Fraunhofer FIT’s WiBACK team. The company oversees production, distribution, and support, serving as the central point of contact and supply partner for implementing WiBACK networks worldwide.
WiBACK is the result of several years of research and development at Fraunhofer FIT. It was motivated by the intention to provide carrier-grade service qualities for voice and data transmission over a large area with low-cost wireless technology. From a technological point of view, a WiBACK network today can be described as an SDN-like backhaul network build upon concatenated heterogeneous point-to-point links (both wireless and wireline/fiber).