The Rapidly Deployable Large Area Wi-Fi (LAWiFi) project is an initiative led by the Connectivity Innovation Network (CIN), in collaboration with the University of Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and industry partners. The project aims to develop a cost-effective, rapidly deployable Wi-Fi system capable of providing high-speed internet coverage over large geographical areas, particularly in remote regions and during emergency situations.

Traditional communication networks often fail during natural disasters or are non-existent in remote areas, hindering access to essential services. The LAWiFi project addresses this gap by creating a solution that ensures reliable connectivity in such challenging environments, facilitating communication for emergency responders and local communities.

The LAWIFI system utilizes advanced antenna technology and patented Wi-Fi protocols to extend internet coverage up to 2×2 kilometers. It integrates with satellite backhaul services from providers like OneWeb and NBN Co., ensuring stable and high-speed connectivity even in areas lacking traditional infrastructure.

The system is designed for rapid deployment in disaster-stricken areas to restore communication networks quickly. Additionally, it serves remote communities by providing access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and business operations, thereby bridging the digital divide.

LAWIFI offers several advantages over conventional Wi-Fi systems. It can be rapidly deployed in difficult or remote environments with minimal setup. The system provides wide-area coverage (up to 2×2 km), supports stable and high-speed connectivity, and is significantly more cost-effective due to its minimal infrastructure requirements. These features make it ideal for versatile applications across emergency response, remote education, telehealth, and community access initiatives.

Yes, the system has undergone successful demonstrations, including a final demonstration at Wattamolla Beach in the Royal National Park, Sydney and a live deployment during Navshield 2024 in Ghin-Doo-Ee National Park. These tests showcased its capability to provide stable, high-speed internet coverage in challenging environments.

• Connectivity Innovation Network (CIN): The initial pilot phase received funding from CIN, a collaborative initiative jointly led by the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney, aimed at advancing telecommunications innovation.
• NSW Government: In November 2022, the NSW Government provided $500,000 in funding to support the development of the LAWIFI system.
• Federal Government’s Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation (TDRI) Program: In July 2024, CIN, in collaboration with Pivotel and Roobuck, was awarded a federal grant under the TDRI program to further develop the LAWIFI solution.

The project aims to transition from pilot demonstrations to widespread deployment, particularly in disaster-prone and remote regions. Ongoing collaborations with industry partners and government agencies are focused on refining the technology and expanding its applications to enhance connectivity across Australia.

The system features a novel antenna design with a wide beam and high gain, enabling coverage of up to 2×2 kilometers. It employs patented Wi-Fi protocols to address issues like the “hidden node” problem, ensuring efficient data transmission. The system supports up to 100 users with data rates of approximately 10 Mbps per user. See further FAQs below with regard to power consumption, data sheet and throughput.

LAWIFI integrates with satellite backhaul services, including those from OneWeb and NBN Co., using SD-WAN architecture. This setup allows for reliable internet connectivity even in the absence of traditional communication infrastructure.

Yes, the system is designed to be compatible with current emergency response protocols. Its rapid deployment capability and extended coverage make it a valuable tool for emergency services during disaster response operations.

The modular design of the LAWIFI system allows for scalability. Multiple units can be deployed to cover larger areas or to support more users, making it adaptable to various operational requirements.

There are no specific requirements for the system to run with a backhaul; the LAWiFi system can operate flexibly with various backhaul options. However, the available backhaul data rate will influence the overall system performance. If a higher Wi-Fi data rate or throughput is desired, a high-data-rate satellite backhaul would be required to support that level of connectivity.

Yes. The LAWIFI system is designed for rapid deployment and ease of use, with minimal setup required. While not fully “plug and play” in the consumer electronics sense, the system can be operational within minutes once on site. A key focus of the project was reducing technical barriers in the field, allowing first responders or trained personnel to deploy the system without needing in-depth networking expertise.

The LAWIFI unit is designed with low-power operation in mind, suitable for off-grid deployment. The system is compatible with a variety of mobile power sources, including solar and generator setups, via the versatile Power over Ethernet (PoE). During field tests, the system has operated on portable battery power, with a maximum power consumption of around 50W when running on a full load. If not in a full load scenario, the power consumption will be much lower. The system’s low consumption makes it viable for remote or emergency environments where power is limited.

The system has currently been developed and tested in limited quantities, with an estimated cost of around $15,000 per unit for full 360-degree Wi-Fi coverage. This price is expected to decrease significantly with large-scale production and commercial deployment.

The project team is currently developing an integrated version of the system as part of Phase 2. A detailed datasheet and product description will be made available once testing in this phase is complete.

Throughput performance during the LAWIFI final demonstration varied based on user location and environmental conditions, particularly the degree of line-of-sight (LoS) between the device and access points. In optimal, clear LoS areas such as open beach environments, the system achieved peak throughput of approximately 80–90 Mbps per user. In partially obstructed (half-shadowed) zones, performance remained strong at 50–60 Mbps, while in fully shadowed areas (e.g., behind dense vegetation or terrain), throughput ranged between 10–20 Mbps. These results demonstrate the system’s ability to maintain meaningful connectivity even in challenging propagation environments.

Transmit power for 2.4GHz is 20dbm and antenna gain is 15dbi. For 5GHz, the power is 19dbm and antenna gain is 17dbi.

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