User Manual

Introduction

The SkyPilot Carrier-Class Broadband Wireless System supports an innovative architecture offering point-to-point, point-to-

multipoint and mesh topologies. Automatic network discovery and connectivity allows an operator to quickly build a network

offering high levels of coverage and redundancy.

The system implements a sophisticated and flexible Layer 2 network. Rate control and packet prioritization enables multiple service

offerings, including high-quality voice over IP (VoIP) support. Packet filtering combined with wireless link encryption provides very

high levels of security.

Full authentication and management of subscriber nodes is supported, with each network element providing an SNMP Agent and a

Command Line Interface (CLI). Software images are upgraded over the air.

This document provides a description of the SkyPilot system architecture and protocols. The hardware components are described

along with details of network topologies and routing, spectral and link management, network-wide synchronization, quality of

service, security provisions, and network management.

System Components

The SkyPilot Carrier-Class Broadband Wireless System has four hardware components that together support a highly flexible

wireless network architecture:

• SkyGateway

The SkyGateway provides an interface between the wireless network and the Internet or other Local/Wide Area Network

(LAN/WAN). The SkyGateway links directly to SkyExtenders and/or SkyConnectors as customer premises equipment (CPE) in

point-to-point/multipoint configurations, or indirectly via multiple SkyExtender hops in a full mesh network topology. The

SkyGateway has a compact, lightweight, fully integrated mechanical design with a 10/100Base-T interface and an integral

GPS receiver to provide a highly accurate system timing source.

• SkyExtender

The SkyExtender enables a network operator to expand coverage and increase system capacity. The SkyExtender can link

directly to a SkyGateway and/or one or more SkyExtenders and/or SkyConnectors. The SkyExtender hardware is identical to

that of the SkyGateway, with the software image differentiating functionality. The 10/100Base-T Ethernet interface may be

used to provide a subscriber interface, allowing the SkyExtender to perform double-duty as CPE that extends the network’s

reach from the SkyGateway(s).

• SkyExtender DualBand

The SkyExtender DualBand has the same backhaul features as a SkyExtender, and adds an integral Wi-Fi access point to

afford service providers with greater flexibility when deploying wireless access solutions in HotZones or HotRegions. As the

name implies, the SkyExtender DualBand has separate radios for backhaul (at 5 GHz) and access (industry-standard IEEE

802.11b/g at 2.4 GHz). The separation of access from backhaul enables the use of multiple non-overlapping channels when

deploying a “honeycomb” of Wi-Fi cells, thus enhancing throughput, subscriber density, network capacity and scalability.

• SkyConnector

The SkyConnector comes in both outdoor and indoor variants, and provides an interface between a subscriber and the

wireless SkyPilot network. The link may be indirect via a SkyExtender or direct to a SkyGateway. The subscriber interface is

standard 10/100Base-T Ethernet. The SkyConnector is fully integrated and houses a single antenna with a 28° horizontal

coverage.

Please refer to the individual SkyPilot equipment datasheets for a comprehensive description of the features and functionality of

each unit.