Peripherals/Active Antenna

Location and Intended Users

Users of XOs, inside and outside of school.

Requirement: 5-10 million laptops to be distributed in 2008 with 1 server per 100 laptops and 3 active antennas per server.

Motivation

• Active Antenna’s are critical for the project and are required for the school server.
• Every school server requires 3 Active Antenna’s.
• Better connectivity will generate more use for the XO outside of school
• This particular antenna can extends the range of the mesh thus extending wireless connectivity for everyone in range, not just for the XO plugged into it.
• The mesh network seem to have limited signal within about 100m between two laptops

Advantages

• Extends wireless connectivity for multiply users
• Is a self contained unit which can operate without a laptop, all it needs is a USB power supply which could be solar driven for example.

Disadvantages

• Text

Specifications

• 5 meter USB cable
• 83 and 88 wireless standard (Not currently available in USB dongles)