Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah) is a relatively new standard that offers extended range and the ability to penetrate walls and other barriers, although it comes with the downside of lower throughput. This technology is particularly suited for industrial IoT, building automation, security systems, access control, smart utility meters, and intelligent grids.

The HaLow standard received approval in September 2016 and was published in May 2017. Initially, its adoption was slow, with only a handful of products certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Recently, however, Wi-Fi HaLow has been gaining traction, and one of the vendors offering Certified Wi-Fi HaLow products is AsiaRF. Here, we provide our hands-on evaluation of AsiaRF’s Wi-Fi mesh gateway, which utilizes a star topology to enable 8,000 connections for industrial IoT applications.

AsiaRF’s dual-band Wi-Fi mesh gateway (ARFHL-AP) is specifically engineered for industrial IoT connectivity. The company asserts that it can achieve a robust data rate of 150Kbps over distances surpassing 1 km (about 0.62 miles), making it ideal for the transmission of critical data across large industrial spaces. Each gateway, priced at $206 per unit, is capable of maintaining over 8,000 stable connections thanks to its innovative star network design.

What sets this AsiaRF gateway apart is its ability to support simultaneous use of both 2.4GHz and Sub-GHz HaLow frequencies. This means users can leverage the HaLow radio for long-distance connections while also using the 2.4GHz radio to connect to nearby Wi-Fi devices that lack HaLow support.

The gateway is designed to support both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. It can function as a router and includes an optional firewall for added security. Additionally, it is capable of operating as a DHCP client, relay, or server. In Wi-Fi configurations, it is compatible with multiple SSIDs, offers WPA2 (PSK or 802.1X) security for Wi-Fi 4, and supports WPA3 security for the Wi-Fi HaLow standard.

This main device features a plastic enclosure suitable for indoor use and is relatively compact for an access point, with dimensions of approximately 5 inches by 3.5 inches by 1.2 inches. It comes with a detachable SMA dipole antenna for sub-GHz frequencies, an Ethernet port for WAN/LAN connections, a USB port for storage or camera integration, and a power input requirement of 12V / 1A.

While this model lacks a weatherproof enclosure, AsiaRF does offer a version specifically designed for outdoor use. Additionally, they provide various antennas for those who require a more directional or robust design. For instances where the gateways cannot be positioned near power outlets, a battery pack is also available for reliable power supply.

Within the gateway, AsiaRF incorporates the Morse Micro MM6108 chipset optimized for HaLow technology. This HaLow radio facilitates versatile operation in global sub-GHz ISM bands ranging from 850 MHz to 950 MHz. The single-stream modulation and coding scheme (MCS) support data rates varying from 150 Kbps to 22 Mbps at 8 MHz.

In terms of traditional Wi-Fi capabilities, the device is equipped with the MediaTek MT76X8 chipset, which supports 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. Although it is limited to the older Wi-Fi 4 (802.11b/g/n) standard, the inherent limitations from HaLow technology would hinder any potential advantages from newer, faster Wi-Fi standards if they were supported.

One of the most straightforward deployment techniques for this gateway utilizes HaLow bridge mode. This mode creates a virtual Ethernet link between two locations where running a physical cable might not be practical. The function of HaLow is seamless to other devices within the network, making it a useful solution for expanding coverage or linking networks across separate buildings without segmenting them into smaller subnetworks, particularly when using bridge mode.

Additionally, it offers router mode functionality that connects various IP network segments, each featuring its distinct range of IP addresses and subnet masks. The router is responsible for forwarding packets, enabling communication between devices on different network segments, while also ensuring network layer isolation and implementing security measures, including firewall rules.

It incorporates a mesh architecture designed for effective data transmission over large areas, providing scalability and improved connectivity in situations where conventional Wi-Fi solutions may fall short. The system accommodates three distinct mesh configurations:

Upon connecting the gateway, it automatically begins to broadcast a default SSID and password. With a DHCP server enabled for clients by default, users can easily connect to the Wi-Fi and access the web GUI through the standard IP address. From there, you can adjust the IP addresses, specify your region, and set up the Wi-Fi modes.

We found the web GUI to be intuitive, making it simple to navigate and comprehend. Nonetheless, it would have been beneficial to have an initial setup wizard to assist in configuring the settings based on our preferred wireless modes. While they do offer a user manual outlining the steps for basic wireless mode configuration, having a wizard or at least some help links within the web GUI would be incredibly useful when first starting with their equipment.

AsiaRF

Eric Geier is a freelance tech writer and the founder of NoWiresSecurity, which provides a cloud-based Wi-Fi security service. He is also associated with Wi-Fi Surveyors, offering RF site surveying, and On Spot Techs, which provides general IT services.

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