The Wave Relay software can be licensed as an embedded software module which can be used to build a custom mesh networking product or to integrate Wave Relay's dynamic routing capability into an existing embedded product. Please contact us to inquire about software licensing.

System Architecture: The primary component of the Wave Relay software is a Linux kernel module. This module provides the core seamless routing capability by directly accessing and utilizing any number of wireless or wired Ethernet interfaces at layer 2 of the ISO/OSI networking stack. This layer 2 integration enables the underlying topology of wireless and wired connectivity to operate like a large distributed Ethernet switch enabling any protocol which operates over Ethernet to seamlessly operate over Wave Relay. The module also provides a virtual Ethernet interface which provides convenient access to this distributed switched network for local applications.

The module is designed for portability and has been run on a variety of CPU architectures including: X86, ARM/XScale, MIPS, and PowerPC. The core Wave Relay module can be made to run as part of almost any existing Linux environment that runs with a modern 2.4 or 2.6 based kernels (see minimum hardware requirements below). However it is recommended to use one of the standard hardware platforms listed below. On these platforms, a full featured Wave Relay software environment is available including correctly configured kernel, configuration scripts, support software (including web based management), and cross compiling development environment. Wave Relay can be ported to other hardware platforms, however this may require additional integration support.

Wave Relay Software Architecture

• Routing
• Proprietary Scalable Mobile Ad hoc Network Routing Protocol
• Designed for operation under vehicular mobility
• Proprietary Layer 2 Routed Bridging/Switching Architecture (not Standard Linux Bridging)
• Proprietary Wireless Rate Selection Algorithm and Low Level Radio Interaction
• Scalable and Efficient Broadcasting
• Throughput Optimized Route Selection Metric
• Optimized for Routing to Gateway AND Peer-to-Peer Routing
• Zero Copy Networking Stack
• Cross Layer Quality of Service
• Support for routing between multiple wireless and wired interfaces


• Security
• Layer 2 Encryption & Integrity Protection
• 256 bit AES with SHA1 HMAC
• Support for IXP42x Hardware Cryptographic Accelerator
• Secures all transmissions: unicast, broadcast, and routing control packets
• Secures packets routed on both wireless AND wired links
• WPA2 Support for Secure 802.11 based client access
• ESSID broadcast suppression
• Rouge DHCP Server Blocking


• Radios
• Low level wireless support for Atheros based radios
• Wide range of bands: 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.65GHz, 4.9 GHz, 5 GHz
• Support for 4.9 GHz Public Safety Band
• Up to 36 Mbps of TCP throughput on a 20 MHz channel (normal) without compression
• Up to 70 Mbps of TCP throughput on a 40 MHz channel (turbo) without compression
• Custom framing for enhanced performance
• Antenna selection and diversity control
• Output power control
• Link distance control (MAC Timings)
• Custom Auto Rate Selection
• Multi-rate adaptive ARQ


• 802.11a/b/g Access Point Support
• Each radio can participate in Mesh and can provide a standard 802.11 access point
• Proprietary Auto-rate selection algorithm enhances client connectivity
• Software control of channel selection with auto radio detection
• Access Point control of ESSID, AP Beacon Interval, Link Distance
• Associated client information via Web and SNMP


• 802.1q VLAN Support
• Per interface VLAN tagging on both wireless and wired interfaces
• Each interface can function as an Access Port OR a Trunk Port
• Support for 802.1p QOS Tagging


• Fault Tolerance Features
• No single point of failure or centralized controller
• Provides peer-to-peer connectivity without requiring gateway
• Hot failover support


• Management Tools
• Web Based Management Interface
• Radio Configuration (channel, link distance, AP ESSID)
• Management of an entire network from any device in the network
• Network Wide Defaults Configuration
• Network Wide Software Update
• Network Wide Status Monitoring (Full Network SNR, Channel Plan, Uptime, Version)
• Rogue DHCP Server Blocking


• Google Earth Integration
• Node Location Visualization
• Mobile Asset tracking (with optional GPS Module)
• Link Connectivity and Signal to Noise Monitoring
• Gateway Route Monitoring
• Configurable update interval and refresh interval
• Internet connection not required


• SNMP Monitoring (Custom MIBs)
• Per Node, Per AP, Associated Client Lists
• Node Temperature
• Voltage Level


• Minimum Hardware Requirements
• 4 MB of Flash Memory
• 16 MB of Ram
• 175 MHz CPU (X86, ARM, XScale, MIPS, PowerPC)
• Wireless Radio with Atheros Chipset

• Gateworks Avila 2347: Single Radio, 4x4 inch, 266 MHz IXP420 XScale Processor.
• Gateworks Avila 2348-2: Dual Radio, 4x6 inch, 266 MHz IXP420 XScale Processor.
• Gateworks Avila 2348-4: Quad Radio, 4x6 inch, 533 MHz IXP425 XScale Processor.
• Ubiquiti LiteStation: Single 400 mW Integrated Radio, 3.5x4 inch, 175 MHz MIPS Processor.