Linking rural health facility to the internet using packet radio in

developing countries(OAUNet a case study)

by

O.O. Abiona & O.A. Adewara

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Nigeria.

We shall consider

What is packet radioChoice of packet over other modeComponent of a packet stationDistance limitation of packet radioChannel SharingWhat is AX.25The OAUNet

Continue…..

Problems in rural communityServices for rural connectivityConclusion

What is packet radio

A particular digital mode of amateur radio communication which corresponds to computer telecommunication.

The telephone modem is replaced by a “magic” box called a Terminal Node Controller (TNC)

Telephone is replaced by an amateur radio transceiver.

Continue…...

The phone system is replaced by the “free” amateur radio waves.

Packet radio takes any data stream sent from a computer and sends that via radio to another amateur radio station similarly equipped.

Why packet over other modes

TransparencyError correctionAutomatic control.

Components of a packet station

Terminal Node Controller (TNC)

A modemA computer processorAssociated circuitry to convert

communication b/w your computer(RS-232) and the packet radio protocol in use.

Function of a TNC

Assembles a packet from data received from the computer.

Computes an error check for the packet. Modulates it into audio frequencies.Transmit the packet over the connected

radio.It also reverses the process

Computer or Terminal

A computer running terminal emulation program or a dumb terminal.

E.g hyperterminal, procomm+, X-Talk, Pacterm

A Radio

For 1200/2400bps UHF/VHF packet.Commonly available narrow band FM voice

radio.For HF packet 300bps data is used over

single side band modulation.For high speed packet (starting at 9600bps)

special radio or modified FM radio are used.

Distance limitation of packet radio

It is used at higher radio frequencies (VHF), the range of the transmission is some what limited.

Limited to unobstructed “line-of-sight”For two meter packet (144-148MHZ) the

range could be 10 - 100miles

Channel Sharing

Can support multiple conversation on the same frequency at the same time.

Multiple conversation are possible in a managed time shared fashion.

It uses the AX.25 to accomplish this shared channel.

What is AX.25

Is the communication protocol used for packet radio.

Is based on the wired network protocol X.25.

The OAUNet

Obafemi Awolowo University Network

Obafemi Awolowo University

Academic Network Project

OAUNET - Current Design

Present load estimates

Overview of Network

INFRASTRUCTURAL PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Problem:Analogue exchange necessitating Solution: Store and forward / VSAT

Internet connectivity since January 1999.

Problem: Unreliable Power Supply

Solution: Back-up-- UPS & Generators

Services Provided

Basic E-mailWeb access

File Transfer

Remote access

OAUNET - Main Network Diagram

MainHUB

sc tech cs

usb chs agric

NC

FirstGeneration

SecondGeneration

ThirdGeneration

Keysc - sciencestech - Technologycs - Computer Scienceusb - Secretariatchs - Health ScienceAgric- AgricultureNC - NACTEMTH - OAU Teaching hospital

TH

WaveLan2Mbps

VSAT Earth Station

64 Kbps

Dial upMODEM14.4 Kbps

*****Packet and HF radio links to rural Health establishments in the area

Breezecom Lan2-3 (FHSS)Mbps

CERDBreezecom LAN

2-3 Mbps(FHSS)

Main HUB or network

FirewallProxy

Mail Server

Comm.Server

Backup Server

InterSubnetRouter

WLAN Antenna

WEB Server

Terminal Equipment

CISCOrouter

10 base 2 Ethernet Backbone (Server Bus)

Pentium II PCs

Architecture of Most SubnetsUsing AT&T Wireless

HUBOne or more client computersRunning Windows or

Linux +GUIProvide Print services,and telnet. Clients are

Auto- configured through DHCP

Ethernet

915 MHzAntenna

2 Mbps link to Main network

Sciences Subnet

HUBOne or more client computers

Running Windows or Linux + KDE

Provide Print services, and telnet clients

Auto- configured through DHCP Located in Public access rooms and

Private offices and Laboratories

915 MHzAntenna

Server forPhysics Dept. &Electronics Dept.

WavePointRadio

2 Mbps link to Main network

Computer Science SubnetCS Server

Floor 3

Floor 2

Floor 1

Ground Floor HUB

HUB

HUB

HUB

HUB

Dean of Faulty & other Faculty staff

Head of Dept. & other Senior Dept. staff

Other Dept. Staff & Laboratories

Machines in public rooms &

access areas

Linux Router For MIS, Computer Centre

& URC

10 Mbps Link to Main network

To MIS

To URC

To Computer Centre & IBM AS 400

Main Frame

Library Subnet

915 MHzAntenna

WavePoint

Linux RouterWith Netware

Emulation

Novell Netware 4Server with TCP/IP

Mecury MAIL Server

Windows 95 Netware clientsand other Library catalog system

Pegasus Mail Clients

2 Mbps link to Main network

CONTENTS FOR THE INTERNET

Observatories/Data banks:

Science Database, Water Resources and Rural Development

National Databank, Raw Materials Research Council Databank

Growth of users

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800Ju

l-96

Oct

-96

Jan-

97

Apr

-97

Jul-

97

Oct

-97

Jan-

98

Apr

-98

Jul-

98

Oct

-98

Jan-

99

Apr

-99

Jul-

99

Oct

-99

Jan-

00

Apr

-00

Jul-

00

Oct

-00

No

of U

sers

Date

Monthly Growth of Users

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Jun-96

Jul-96

Aug-96

Sep-96

Oct-96

Nov-96

Dec-96

Jan-97

Feb-97

Mar-97

Apr-97

May-97

Jun-97

Jul-97

Aug-97

Month

No

. of

us

ers

Tech

EDM

HS

Education

Pharmacy

Agric

Science

Arts

Admin

Soc Sci

Law

Others

Percentage Level of Awareness

Level of awareness on the use e-mail on faculty by faculty basis

0,00%

10,00%

20,00%

30,00%

40,00%

50,00%

60,00%

70,00%

EDM Pharmacy Technology Law Science Arts

Faculty

Pe

rce

nta

ge

of

e-m

ail u

se

rs

1

2

3

1.e-mail 96%2. ftp 3.5%3.www 0.5%

Type of services provided as at 1996

Type of services provided as at 2000

50%

8%

42%1

2

3

Type of services provided as at 2000

1. e-mail = 50%2. ftp = 8%3 .www =42%

Trafic Distribution

tech

edm

health

educ

pharm

agric

science

arts

admin

social

law

others

Other Services ProvidedConsultancy services to Educational Institutions. This

entails:

-Network site survey

-Structured Cabling

-Computer hardware Installations and Repairs

-Web enabling services

-Internet Services (system configuration)

Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) ,University of Lagos, Yaba, Lagos State University, Badagry, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,University of

Ilorin,Dept. of Physics, University of Ibadan and the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti

Antenna types (1)

SPECIFICATIONS

Antenna:

Antenna Gain* 8 dBi

Frequency Range 2.4 to 2.5 GHz

Impedance 50 Ohms

Polarization Vertical

Dimensions 17" length; 43 cm

Weight .45 lbs; 205 g

SPECIFICATIONS

Antenna:

Antenna Gain* 24 dBi

Frequency Range 2.4 to 2.5 GHz

Impedance 50 Ohms

Polarization Vertical or horizontal

Dimensions 24" x 36" x 15"; 610 x 915 x 381mm

Weight 5.4 lbs; 2.43 kg

915 MHz Antenna types (2)

Problems of rural Community

They lack well developed telecommunication infrastructure.

Lack of constant electricity supply.Lack of good road network.Lack of portable water supplyetc...

Services for rural Connectivity

E-mail services.Ftp. (minimal)Www (minimal or hardly used).

The established link

TNC

Radio

OAUNet

Radio

TNC

Cost estimation for high speed Packet radio

Link. S/N Description Amount

1. 2 Nos of TNC @ $200.00 $400.00

2. 2 Nos of Radio @ $100.00 $200.00

3. 2 Nos of Antenna @ $50.00 $100.00

4. Accessories $ 50.00

Total $750.00

Low Cost Implimentation

S/N Description Amount

1. 2 Nos of TNC @ $00.00 $00.00

2. 2 Nos of Radio @ $100.00 $200.00

3. 2 Nos of Antenna @ $50.00 $100.00

4. Accessories $ 50.00

Total $350.00

ConclusionIn view of the problems facing the rural

community and developing nations in general, coupled with the problem of funds to acquire high speed connectivity, Packet radio could be a way out for developing countries to spread internet connectivity to rural communities.

We want to thank ICTP for making this possible for OAU, Ife and Nigerian Universities at large.

END

Thank You.