While looking for long range WiFi bridges, I did not only discover the TP-Link CPE 710v2 (which is working great!) but I also found the KuWFi N650 Gigabit WiFi bridge. The KuWFi seems to be more expensive than the TP-Link and has probably less range, but the opening angles are bigger while the range is still good. As it features a panel antenna, the device is flat compared to the big reflector design of the CPE710.
The KuWFi N650 was not supported by OpenWrt, but it contains pretty standard hardware, an easy-to-open case (6 screws) and has the serial header already soldered:
QCA9563 775MHz
QCA9888 5GHz WiFi
16MiB Flash (SPI NOR)
128MiB RAM (DDR2?)
2x Gigabit LAN via QCA8337
48V passive PoE, compatible with 802.3af (at least it works with my GS1900-24HP switch).
Installation can be performed without opening the case from the standard firmware. Be sure to take a backup of the OEM firmware, I could not find any firmware download on the vendor web page.
Speaking of vendor, it looks like the device was designed and manufactured by a company called "Ziking" and not "Yuncore" as most other KuWFi devices. It does say "Ziking logintalk start" at the Telnet prompt.
Porting OpenWrt was quite straight forward and I opened a PR today:
Datasheet says it has a TDMA mode on factory firmware?
I haven't been able to find good pictures on the manufacturers website regarding how the cable waterproofing is done. I guess you need to drill your own holes for cable glands?
It says so on the box, but I didn't pay attention to TDMA as I need it to interoperate with a TP-Link CPE710v2.
However, a few notes why I'm not very convinced about the presence of TDMA (although it says so in internal config files):
It's based on Linux 3.3.8
The kernel is not very communicative - they disabled dmesg and the boot log
None of the kernel modules has any reference to TDMA
What's the point in having TDMA in a PtP link?
I can flash one device back to stock on the weekend and have a look at the vendor web page.
Regarding waterproofing: there is none. There is a cover for the sockets and plugs that completes the case, it comes with 3 cutouts for the cables but no seal.
I'm assuming it's special sauce if it's actually right. IDK whether normal cards can do it?
WiFi is CSMA/CA? TDMA is nice as per the acronym, it's time division multiple access. Not going to have to go off of carrier sensing then backing off nor going the RTS/CTS route from what I'm reading. I guess it's more applicable in PtMP applications and bandwidth sharing?
Huh. They market IP67 rating or something on the website. Sounds like additional methods would be needed to stop the ports from being adversely affected by the environment.
I read somewhere (can't find the link right now) that it's a firmware feature. DD-WRT calls it "Q-Boost / TDMA and specifies it as experimental.
ATM, I'm very pleased with the performance, it's 130Tx and 300Rx over 1km to a TP-Link CPE710v2 under sub-optimal conditions, i.e. there are a few obstacles, the TP-Link is even mounted inside (behind a roof window). The connection was faster with two TP-Links (300/300), but the opening angle is too small to reach the third site. With the KuWFI, I should be able to reach both sites with reasonable performance.
Yes, they claim IP65. The case itself is also unsealed, it's just the two plastic parts screwed together. I wouldn't mount it in a very exposed location, but beneath the roof there should be enough protection. The ports are all on the bottom, I don't expect water to get when the cover is on. So I guess it's more like IP63, we'll see how well they cope outside.
The first device is already mounted outside, the second will be mounted in a few weeks.