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High-level overview
Off-grid, Internet-free, LoRa-based “Mesh network” text communications device (built with emergency communications in mind)
Ideally suited for sending SMS (text message) sized messages
Messages are broadcast to everyone on the network
Devices automatically form networks that extend the overall range of communications
Typical single device-to-device range 0.75 to 2 miles in urban environments, 10+ miles with unobstructed Line of Sight (rural areas should get better range)
Extremely low power consumption, device will run indefinitely from a small solar panel
No license required (built-in optional licensed operation on U.S. Amateur radio bands)
Built-in optional encryption (message privacy)
Built-in high capacity rechargeable battery
Use with Windows/Linux/Mac computer or Android/iOS smart phone / tablet (Android/iOS apps to be published to respective app stores very soon)
Can also be used for general purpose data transmission (farm sensor readings, remote movement alarm, remote control of gates, etc)
Includes detachable tuned antenna and USB 2.0 cable (Micro-USB to Type-A)
Extensive use of American parts and labor
Product features
Text messaging
Use our free Android and iOS smart phone app with Bluetooth for SMS-like text messaging, completely independent of the Internet or existing cellular infrastructure. You can also use any computer and a USB cable to use the WaveShark Communicator for text messaging, completely free of smart phones and Bluetooth. Additionally, the WaveShark Communicator can be used for text messaging without Bluetooth on a smart phone by using a USB On-To-Go (USB OTG) cable and a serial terminal program.
Mesh networking
The WaveShark Communicator's built-in mesh networking technology automatically extends the range of your network by relaying messages among other WaveShark Communicators.
The below graphic shows that while the leftmost and rightmost WaveShark Communicators are not within direct range of each other, they can still communicate because they are both in range of the middle device, which will automatically forward all traffic between the leftmost and rightmost devices.
This next graphic takes this concept further to show that a large number of WaveShark Communicators, not all within direct range of each other, can still all communicate with each other due to the WaveShark Communicator's built-in mesh technology.
This final graphic shows that private communications still benefit from WaveShark Communicator's mesh technology. Even though none of the intermediary devices can read the messages between the top-left and bottom-right devices, they will still forward messages between them.
Encryption, message privacy, and message segregation
The WaveShark Communicator's optional AES-128 encryption keeps your communications private and only accessible to those who you have previously shared a key with. Wm89JcFQTHikL9xC is an example of a maximum length private key.
This encryption feature can also be used to create "channels" or to segregate messages within a WaveShark Communicator network and to keep certain portions of a network off limits to others or simply separate. For example, the keys FORUM, DATING, and GAME could be used in a WaveShark Communicator network so that messages to and from the forum, dating site, or game could all be kept separate.
Anonymity
Unlike smart phones and Internet-connected computers, WaveShark Communicator devices do not contain nor emit any sort of unique identifiers that can be used to trace the communications of a user back to its origin. Each WaveShark Communicator does contain a somewhat unique 16-bit "device address" that is used by the mesh technology but this number is both not guaranteed to be unique (it repeats for approximately every 65,000 devices manufactured) and is also not kept on record by WaveShark.
Unique identifiers emitted by smart phones include the Electronic Serial Number (ESN), Mobile Identification Number (MIN), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), International Mobile Subscriber Identify (IMSI), and Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID). Smart phones also tend to have a unique Internet IP address associated with them. Additionally, the movement of smart phone users can be easily traced by wireless carriers based on which cellular towers a phone has been registered with and can be even further refined by triangulating signal strength readings from a small handful of near-by cellular towers.
Unique identifiers emitted by Personal Computers (PCs), Macs, Linux computers, and the like include the MAC address (Medium Access Control address) and assigned IP address.
Smart phones and Internet-connected computers can and do easily leak a number of other uniquely identifying or otherwise private information including previously stored tracking cookies, GPS coordinates, and various other attributes that can and are used to assign unique "fingerprints" to your devices and their associated traffic.
Smart phone app
Use our free Android and iOS smart phone app to connect to your smart phone via Bluetooth and have SMS-like text messaging completely independent of the Internet or existing cellular infrastructure.
Alternatively, or in the event that our app is for some reason no longer available in app stores, connect your smart phone to the WaveShark using a USB On-The-Go (USB OTG) cable and send your messages using any serial terminal app, such as Serial Terminal USB for Android. This method of use even works with your phone in "airplane mode" (cellular connectivity, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi disabled).
The WaveShark Communicator's versatile connection options means that these devices can and will remain relevant long beyond the life of the iPhone or Android phones, which will ultimately suffer the same fate as the BlackBerry. The WaveShark Communicator was designed from the beginning to be a relevant communications device for decades, not years.
Long battery life
Each WaveShark Communicator comes with a replaceable internal 4,400 mAh lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) rechargeable battery. Based on our own experiments, a single charge of this battery can run a WaveShark Communicator for up to 10 days or more, depending on usage patterns.
Of course, battery life depends very much on how you use your WaveShark Communicator: transmitting often versus transmitting very infrequently, Bluetooth on or off; LEDs on or off, etc.
The battery can be recharged by plugging the WaveShark Communicator into a USB power source. The typical time required to fully recharge the battery is approximately 6 hours. The WaveShark Communicator can also be operated indefinitely by plugging it into a USB power source.
And because the WaveShark Communicator is based on a low power design, it can often be operated indefinitely with the use of solar power. We have experience running a network of numerous WaveShark Communicator devices in our hometown for over 6 months straight using relatively small 5W solar panels.
LoRa® Technology
The WaveShark Communicator is based on patented license-free low-power long-distance LoRa® wireless communications technology and operates in the 902-928 MHz (915 MHz center frequency) U.S. ISM radio band. Effective single WaveShark Communicator device to single device range is approximately 0.75 to 2 miles in dense urban environments with no line of sight advantage (worst case scenario) to many miles in rural environments or environments with good line of sight advantage (best case scenario). Of course, the WaveShark Communicator's range is automatically extended by its built-in mesh networking technology. Simply add more devices to extend coverage.
More information on LoRa® and typical device-to-device ranges are available from the LoRa® patent holder here.
Product uses
Disaster communications
One of the first impacts of a natural disaster or other major event is typically the collapse of traditional communications systems. Cellular infrastructure, land-line telecommunications, and Internet access are likely to be overwhelmed or otherwise completely unavailable.
The WaveShark Communicator makes text messaging and general purpose data transmission possible even when common infrastructure is unavailable.
Don't be dependent on the Internet or cellular infrastructure during a natural disaster or other emergency. The WaveShark Communicator is completely independent of existing infrastructure and instead forms its own mesh network, providing wireless communications distances not typically associated with traditional off-grid wireless devices.
Off-grid communications
Don't have access to the grid? Don't want to be on the grid? Worried about being shut out from the grid? Want to build your own network?
Because The WaveShark Communicator does not rely on the Internet or existing cellular infrastructure at all for its communications, it is ideal for use in rural, remote, or otherwise under-served areas. The WaveShark Communicator is also ideal for those wishing to keep their communications off the grid, complete with optional industry standard encryption.
General purpose data modem
With its built-in USB port, the The WaveShark Communicator can be used as a general purpose data modem and open platform for a wide range of data transmission needs and construction of networks.
You can connect the WaveShark Communicator to a microcontroller or Raspberry Pi and transmit sensor readings. Similarly, you can connect it to a microcontroller or Raspberry Pi and build your own long distance early warning system for long rural driveways or large rural perimeters. Connect it to a microcontroller, Raspberry Pi, or computer and run a local forum or Bulletin Board System (BBS) for other WaveShark users in your community.
Invent whole new networks, products, applications, protocols, or security features on top of The WaveShark Communicator. The sky is the limit.
Agricultural automation
The WaveShark Communicator's low power, long distance, mesh communications capabilities make it ideal for use in agricultural settings for transmitting sensor data (temperature, pressure, humidity, etc), for remotely operating valves, and for performing other forms of agricultural automation.