88 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
88 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
# HaLow extended-range deployment
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A specialized variant for sites where running PoE or fiber is impractical: agropecuario fields, marinas, large industrial yards, dispersed event perimeters.
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## What HaLow is
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**802.11ah** — IEEE wireless standard operating in sub-GHz bands (902-928 MHz US, 863-868 MHz EU). Designed for IoT range and low-power use.
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Key properties:
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- **Range**: ~1 km line-of-sight, 200-400m through obstacles.
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- **Throughput**: 150 Kbps - 32 Mbps depending on bandwidth and modulation.
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- **Power**: lower than WiFi 5/6, suitable for battery + solar.
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- **Penetration**: better than 2.4/5 GHz through walls and foliage.
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For Blocao: HaLow lets cameras be deployed without cabling and without depending on cellular (which has SIM costs and roaming complications in agro environments).
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## Deployment pattern
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```
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[Operator base]
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│
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┌─────▼──────┐
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│ Router │
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│ + HaLow AP │
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└─────┬──────┘
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│ 802.11ah sub-GHz
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┌────────────┼────────────────┐
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│ │ │
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▼ ▼ ▼
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┌───────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌───────┐
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│HaLow │ │HaLow │ │HaLow │
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│bridge │ │camera │ │camera │
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│+ cams │ │ │ │ │
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└───────┘ └───────┘ └───────┘
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200m 500m 900m
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```
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Two patterns:
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1. **HaLow camera direct**: native 802.11ah camera (rare today, more available 2026-2027).
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2. **HaLow bridge + WiFi/PoE camera**: bridge converts HaLow ↔ Ethernet, supports any IP camera within local range.
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Pattern 2 is more flexible today. Pattern 1 is the future as native HaLow cameras come to market.
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## Hardware (mid-2026 availability)
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- **Router HaLow extension**: M.2 module or USB dongle (e.g., Morse Micro MM6108 reference).
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- **HaLow bridge**: small box with HaLow radio + Ethernet, powered by PoE on the camera side or solar.
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- **Native HaLow camera**: still scarce; track Hikvision and Dahua announcements.
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Cost: HaLow bridge ~€100-200. HaLow router module ~€100. Native cameras unknown until volume products ship.
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## Use cases
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| Vertical | Scenario |
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|---|---|
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| Agropecuario | Cattle ranch, 4-6 cameras at gates and feed stations, 500-1500m from main building |
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| Marina | 8-10 cameras along a dock, no power for cabling, solar-friendly |
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| Industrial yard | Container terminal, perimeter cameras 200-800m from operations building |
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| Construction site | Temporary deployment, no time/permits for trenching |
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| Municipality | Urban edge cameras at intersections, point-to-point bridge to central office |
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## Limits
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- **Bandwidth**: a single HaLow link can carry ~1-3 1080p H.265 streams reliably. Not for 4K.
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- **Latency**: ~30-50ms typical, ~100ms under load. Good enough for surveillance, not for interactive control.
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- **Regulatory**: sub-GHz bands are regional. EU 863-868 MHz allows lower power than US 902-928 MHz. Channel planning matters in dense deployments.
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- **Interference**: LoRa and Sigfox share parts of the band. Generally not a problem; site survey recommended.
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## Why this is a Blocao opportunity
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Most VMS / security vendors don't think about cabling distance. They assume PoE 100m. HaLow extends Blocao's reach by 10× without adding cellular costs or solar-power complications.
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For LATAM customers specifically (estancias, fincas, marinas, large industrial), this is **the** differentiator over Verkada and Hikvision. Verkada has no HaLow story; Hikvision will likely follow but slowly.
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## Roadmap
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**2026 Q3**: HaLow extension as Image Builder option. Site survey toolchain.
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**2027 Q1**: HaLow bridge product packaged.
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**2027 Q3**: Native HaLow camera options validated and recommended.
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Until then, HaLow is positioned as "available on request" for pilot customers.
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## See also
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- [`argentina-targets.md`](argentina-targets.md) — verticals where HaLow is decisive.
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