BelAir Networks
Wireless Broadband Mesh Networking Solutions
“Design 1st has been our trusted industrial design and mechanical engineering partner for over six years and they have proven themselves to be valuable, competent and committed to our success. They add value because they understand the tradeoffs between user value and cost, the need to balance both the business and product objectives, along with excellent knowledge of materials and manufacturing / tooling options.”
Stephen Rayment
Chief Technology Officer
Project
Develop weather toughened wireless communications enclosures and mounting options for BelAir Networks’ outdoor wireless mesh product portfolio.
Summary
BelAir Networks produces wireless solutions which are built on a unique architecture that integrates wireless access with wireless backhaul, offering a low-cost solution for broadband data services coverage. To create a wireless mesh, BelAir Networks outdoor wireless internetworking platforms intercommunicate wirelessly and provide both indoor and outdoor coverage from an outdoor deployment. The BelAir founders approached Design 1st at the early stages of product development and engaged them as their mechanical engineering and industrial design team.
Solution
The BelAir Networks team provided Design 1st with some real technical challenges in designing their enclosures and mounting solutions including: outdoor weather requirements, RF and thermal considerations and making the products look good but not so good as to attract attention. For example, for outdoor deployment, the wireless platforms needed to be robust, reliable as well as able to be securely mounted. Not only did the platforms need to withstand all that Mother Nature can deliver, they needed to allow for the highest performance and reliability possible.
Benefits
Design 1st’s manufacturing knowledge and experience with injection plastics and metal castings was critical in the materials selection which needed to be robust, easy to use and fit both the installer/users’ needs and BelAir’s cost objectives. One of the key benefits of the BelAir product portfolio is the wireless antenna arrays for communicating with neighbouring nodes in a variety of dense community landscapes. The physical design required careful planning of materials used and locations of metal and plastic components to avoid interference between the wireless signal paths. From prototypes to interfacing with manufacturing to maintaining a common look and feel as the product portfolio extended, Design 1st was also able to expand and contract its role over the multi-year engagement as required. Most recently Design 1st has even extended the BelAir portfolio to encompass a new range of all indoor products as well – still maintaining that BelAir look and feel!
Company Profile
BelAir Networks is the first company to offer scalable, mobile wireless broadband mesh networking solutions with the highest quality for data, voice and video. BelAir’s wireless networking solutions are built on the only multi-service architecture for municipal wireless broadband deployments of Wi-Fi, WiMAX® and 3G Cellular networks. Built specifically for outdoor-in deployments, BelAir Networks’ patented solution delivers the lowest cost per user and deploys in days, blending into the physical infrastructure of downtown business districts, hotels and resorts, and campuses. Founded in 2001, BelAir Networks is a privately held company.
