Backpack Access Point

The idea for the BackPackAp came about at itech. I (I =ColinDabritz ? -- DanRasmussen) was talking with sam (sam = SamChurchill ? -- DanRasmussen) and we thought it would be kinda cool to have a live proof of concept there, in the form of a "roaming booth."

Why a roaming backpack AP

Avoid buying booth space. Proof of the mobile concept. It's really cool. Can be run by a single person, and applies to far reaching areas. Did I mention it was really cool? Sam thought we could get it sponsored by several people at the convention and have it pay for itself, or even get paid to do it and be a point of interest for the convention. Partners could be Sprint or someone for a cellphone 'backbone' briging bandwidth to the pack. If there were any wireless providers we could use their equipment. Maybe a laptop from Gateway or something.

What would it take?

Here was the setup I had in mind:

That's about it I think.

What could be done with it?

Well I ran out of ideas. anyone else feel free to add to this!

ColinDabritz 10/03/2001


From BackPackAP which is now deleted (do not recreate the ["BackPackAP'] page cause you can't link to it since it's not a true WikiWord). Please refactor into this page as you see fit -- AdamShand

A Backpack Access Point would be a battery operated unit with both 802.11b (for the local area) and a 2.5-3G cellular phone or phone card for the backbone. Optionally BlueTooth would be used for the local area and 802.11b could link to a nearby DSL/Satellite uplink.

Consider the Stylistic for mobile access. You might plug in a W-LAN card (in the PC Card slot) and a 3G phone cord (in a CF slot) using Socket's CompactFlash adapter (it works in PC card slots too, of course).

A battery-operated, 3G phone-enabled AP might be invaluable for emergency workers or for remote, mobile access anywhere.

Look at the well deserved attention Terry Schmidt is getting for helping out with the WTC disaster: 802 Planet.

The PocketPC 2002 includes a new iPaq with built-in Bluetooth. [http://www.socketcom.com/about/press/pr11003a.htm Socket's Bluetooth module] may also be used.

Perhaps a PocketPC could act as a battery operated AP:

  1. Mount it high on a rooftop or a balloon for maximum range.
  2. Wi-Fi could link local users while 5Ghz 80211a could provide a link to a nearby DSL/Satellite/Wireless ISP.
  3. Optionally a Bluetooth link connects to the 3G cellular backbone.


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BackPackAp (last edited 2012-07-13 15:39:33 by DanRasmussen)