CHARACTERIZATION OF HOTSPOT COVERAGE PLAN IN 2.4/ 5GHZ FREQUENCY BAND (NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA, AS A CASE STUDY)
Ugwoke F.N, Kennedy Chinedu Okafor, I. M. Onwusuru, Udeze C.C, Hyacinth Chibueze Inyiama · Journals & Books Hosting (International Knowledge Sharing Platform) · 2014
Research and tertiary institutions today uses wireless connectivity owing to the benefits of mobility flow-aware communication and flexibility advantages generally.In this case, mobility computing involving the use of smart devices, laptops, wifi-desktops, etc, largely depends on a deployed hotspot infrastructure.In particular, the physical position of the mobile system (and hence of the user) and the hotspot infrastructure design layout are fundamental considerations for service efficiency.While previous works have focused on user position estimation, signal strength quality and network QoS, this work leverages the contemporary challenges of network connectivity in tertiary institutions in Nigeria with respect to optimal coverage and cost minimization.Using Nnamdi Azikiwe University-Unizik, Awka as testbed, we carried out a study on hotspot/WLAN IEEE 802.11 deployments while devising a cost effective coverage plan in 2,4/5GHz frequency band.A mathematical model on cost optimization for WLAN Hotpot project processes was developed using Linear programming, the installation procedure, coverage plan based on specifications of the deployment hardware, and data security were covered in this work.Consequently, from the model, we argue that with careful selection of optimization criteria in the deployment, an efficient design cost plan, and QoS, could eliminate possible trade-offs in the deployment contexts by over 95%.