Davids Reply.....
David,
Thanks again. The fog is clearing a bit...whoops, another patch ahead.
Your first point, about an external modem, seems misguided, since rharris clearly states-as you quoted him- "a two meg card with an ethernet card and a wireless modem ALL AS ONE UNIT(emphasis mine) which fits into any available slot." Within the limited info MEME has provided us, the CEO backs this up, and says it's a cost saver.
DAVID
OK. That's right, he did say that. I should have read the post over a few times. SO, There will be a ISA slot card/modem for desktop computers and a PCMCIA card for laptops? OK, This is certainly feasible. Keep in mind the antenna will have to be external to whatever computer these cards are installed in.
From your second point I gather that neither you nor I know just what Direct Frequency Spectrum IS, or isn't. You speculate that it may be "direct sequence spread spectrum". Until THAT question is answered, much of the rest of the good info. you provided may or may not be pertinent.
DAVID
True, But I suspect that they did in fact mean "Direct Sequence"
Your third, fourth, and fifth points indicates that a lot of repeaters would be needed to supplement the main unit! So indeed RHARRIS, do you know how many "different cells" are needed? Just what is a "cell." If MEME can set up so quickly as implied, it must not be many, no?
I might note here, that Heddy Lamar, as I recall from a very hot story of her life which I encountered as a kid- was fond of referring to her far ranging sexual needs as "Frequency Hopping" I had forgotten that!
Your sixth point concerning foilage and reception and required no. of repeaters clearly applies. Which tells us of a possible serious limitation as to markets MEME could enter.
DAVID
Foliage is water, water attenuates RF, Attenuated RF means lower signal to noise, and unless thay have a lot of link budget to burn ( Their statement regarding being concerned about foliage indicates that they do not) basically foliage (water / rain / snow) will affect performance.
Your seventh point is answerable. MEME says they own Community Television Frequencies in at least a few markets. I understand these stations only brodcast 15 to 20 miles. This has nothing to do with MEME's internet connectivity tech., so far as I know. Clearly MEME would be sharing bands with Metricom if deployed in the same area. But just what is DIRECT FREQUENCY SPECTRUM, and how would it relate?
DAVID
HHHhmmm. Well this may explain how they intend to get the data to the modem (In the areas where they have licenses for the TV channels) but it does not give any indication how they intend on getting the data from the modem to the network. I guess we will have to wait and see. Also...if they are using a TV channel to get out to the modem and something other than Part 15 frequencies to get from the modem to the network, they will not really be sharing the band with us.
In your Eighth point you label the statement that normal rain and storms will not be a problem as ABSOLUTE NONSENSE. It seems to me the word "normal" is an admission of imperfection in extreme conditions, and this is backed up by the "simply reconnects by itself" statement. I don't see that you have a basis here. Perhaps the system IS in fact reliable, except in some extreme storm conditions. Beats me!
DAVID
My point here was that rain, snow, and so on, affect performance, there is no question about that. The signal to noise ratio will be degraded. It may NOT be degraded to the point where it is noticeable to the user. I should have been clearer on this.
Yes, I suspected all along that the Ricochet system was being sold short here. Glad to hear it in fact! I love progress. Still, I think the mis-characterization was probably come by honestly, from old press or posts on Metricom.
DAVID
This I can understand.
David I need not comment on the rest of the info. in your post, info. within all your points. It is very informative and very appreciated. Sounds like you'll definitely have some fun in S.F. Wish I could learn along with you. Hope you get some answers and post them, good or bad, here. Actually, I hope MEME would simply provide answers ASAP in an honest fashion- then your visit with them could be even more productive- with that much more knowledge in hand ahead of time. I won't hold my breath 'til they do, however.
DAVID
Your welcome and if anyone can provide information on the time, date and location of the Demo, I would really appreciate it. If they can do all they claim, I am very impressed. Maybe I will post to SI wireless via Ricochet from the MEME Demo! ( wouldn't THAT be fun! )
David@metricom.com |
