Wireless Networking for Science in Africa Workshop - Schedule
March 11-22, 2013
The first day we will learn about Wireless Networks and the basic of electromagnetic waves used in radio communications. In the afternoon we will familiarize with basic concepts of modern telecommunications.
8:30-10:00 Registration
(in the SDU meeting room in GGH)
10:00-10:30 Opening
Marco Zennaro
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00–11:30 Why Wireless?
Ermanno Pietrosemoli
11:30-12:30 Radio Physics I
Carlo Fonda
14:00-15:30 Radio Physics II
Carlo Fonda
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 Fundamentals of Telecommunication Systems
Ermanno Pietrosemoli
In the morning we will be first introduced to IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard protocols and then learn how to configure WiFi base stations and clients. In the afternoon laboratory session we will work with WiFi devices (simple network configuration).
9:00-10:30 Introduction to WiFi
Ermanno Pietrosemoli
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00–12:30 Access Point configuration
Carlo Fonda
14:00-15:30 LAB: Access Point configuration
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 LAB: Access Point configuration
In the morning we will understand the behavior of antennas and cables for radio communications, and also learn about comparative use of radio spectrum. In the afternoon laboratory session we will build simple but effective WiFi antennas and measure antenna performance.
9:00-10:30 Antenna Theory
Ermanno Pietrosemoli
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 Antennas and Transmission Lines
Ermanno Pietrosemoli
Comparative use of unlicensed spectrum
Carlo Fonda
14:00-15:30 LAB: Antennas building and Measurements
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 LAB: Antennas building and Measurements
In the morning we will learn how to power a radio system using photovoltaic solar panels and wind generators and how to design and install outdoor radio links. In the afternoon laboratory session we learn how to use the RadioMobile tool for link planning.
9:00-10:30 Off-Grid Powering
Ermanno Pietrosemoli
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 dB Math
Carlo Fonda
Radio Link Budget
Ermanno Pietrosemoli
14:00-15:30 LAB: RadioMobile
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 LAB: RadioMobile
In the morning we will be introduced to the issues of planning long-distance radio links and learn how to effectively design and deploy a wireless network. In the afternoon laboratory session we will work with WiFi devices (complete network configuration).
9:00-10:30 Long distance WiFi
Carlo Fonda
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 Outdoor Installations
Ermanno Pietrosemoli
14:00-15:30 LAB: Access Point configuration II
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 LAB: Access Point configuration II
The first morning of the second week of workshop we will be introduced to the world of Wireless Sensors Networks and to the Open Software and Open Hardware concepts; we will also learn about the Arduino low-cost open platform. In the afternoon we will start programming Arduino boards.
9:00-10:30 Introduction to Wireless Sensor Networks
Marco Zennaro
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00–12:30 Intro to Open Software and Hardware
Sebastian Buettrich
Intro to Arduino
Sebastian Buettrich
14:00-15:30 LAB: Arduino
Download zip file with the Examples
Download Arduino installer for Windows
Download FTDI Driver installer for Windows
Download Arduino installer for Mac
Download FTDI Driver installer for Mac
Download Arduino installer for Linux
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 LAB: Arduino
In the morning we will understand the different communications protocols used for WSN and different ways we can sense the physical world. In the afternoon laboratory session we will interconnect Arduino boards and measure physical phenomena.
9:00-10:30 Options for WSN Communications
Marco Zennaro
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 Options for WSN Sensing
Sebastian Buettrich
14:00-15:30 LAB: Arduino Communications and Sensing
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 LAB: Arduino Communications and Sensing
In the morning we will be learn about middleware for WSN and discuss about deploying a complete WSN solution. In the afternoon laboratory session we have some case studies presentations on WSN for Scientific Application.
9:00-10:30 Introduction to Middleware for WSN
Antoine Bagula
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 Designing a WSN Solution
Sebastian Buettrich
14:00-15:30 Dr.William Luther, USA
Wireless Impact on Developing Countries
Alice Bett, Kenya, "Monitoring Lake Nakuru using WSN: a proposal"
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 Joseph Intsiful, AAP, "Wireless Applications for Research in Africa"
Today we will have several presentations on two interesting topics: Boradband Wireless for Science in Africa and Wireless Applications for Science and Research.
9:00-10:30 Prof.Radicella, ICTP
Internet in Africa and the role of ICTP
Mike Nxele, ITU, Switzerland
Broadband:Challenges,Vision, and the Role of ITU
Dr.Emmanuel Ekuwem, Teledom International, Nigeria
ICTP-triggered migration from academia to business: a Nigerian experience.
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 Malcolm Brew, Centre for White Space Communications, Strathclyde University, UK
Practical Aspects of Deploying Self Powered White Space Rural Broadband Networks
Dr.Giovanni Repici, Italy
Broadband Internet: Expansion Strategies
14:00-15:30 Dr.Mauro Bastianini, CNR, Italy
Bridging over the sea: the case of the "Acqua Alta" oceanographic tower
Dr.Simone Sala, MIT, USA
ICT for food and environmental security in emerging regions: where are we?
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 Christian Chwala,KIT, Germany
Commercial microwave communication networks as remote sensing tool for precipitation and humidity: Introduction and Applications
Dr. Damien Delvaux de Fenffe, AfricaArray, South Africa
The AfricaArray network of seismic, GPS and Weather sensors in Subsaharan Africa : a major networking challenge
In the last morning we will be introduced to the new topic of White Spaces technologies. In the afternoon we will be given participation certificates.
9:00-10:30 Andrea Borsetti, Appsento, Switzerland
Advanced WSN solution:consideration about how an open middleware platform is matching the market needs and enabling the WSN/IOT world
Prof.Bjorn Pehrson, KTH, Sweden
First Mile Initiatives on
ICT for Rural Development
Jane Butler, University College London, UK
The third edition of Wireless Networking in the Developing World
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 Dr.William Luther, USA
The Evolution of Wireless Technologies
The e-Communications Research Group, Malawi
The Long Range Wireless Link in Malawi: Challenges at Zomba Peak.
Download Presentation
White spaces scanning : a step towardsrural connection in Malawi.
Coffee breaks: 10:30–11:00, 15:30–16:00
Lunch break: 12:30–14:00