{"id":6648,"date":"2025-10-01T04:09:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T04:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/annualreports.es.net\/?page_id=6648"},"modified":"2025-10-15T04:27:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T04:27:01","slug":"highlight-wireless-edge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/annualreports.es.net\/index.php\/highlight-wireless-edge\/","title":{"rendered":"Highlight: Wireless Edge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Greenfield Wireless Prototype Connects Field Researchers to High-Speed Networks<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

ANDREW WIEDLEA (ESNET), STIJN WIELANDT (EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AREA), HOWARD YAO (EESA), AND JAMES KAFADER (ESNET) WITH THE GREENFIELD WIRELESS EDGE PROTOTYPE AT BERKELEY LAB IN NOVEMBER 2024. 
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Many emerging DOE science programs \u2014 from geothermal energy research to power-grid testbeds \u2014 take place in remote \u201cgreenfield\u201d locations where traditional fiber connectivity is unavailable or impractical. These sites often rely on mobile sensors, drones, and IoT devices, but lack the robust data links needed to support real-time analysis and access to computing resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To bridge this gap, ESnet launched the Greenfield Wireless Edge Site Characterization project, in partnership with staff from Berkeley Lab\u2019s Earth and Environmental Sciences Area. The portable, self-powered wireless tower they developed integrates multiple communication technologies to evaluate and deliver reliable connectivity from the field. Standing 13 feet and weighing about 200 pounds, the modular system supports private cellular (4G CBRS), Wi-Fi HaLow, standard Wi-Fi, satellite broadband, and directional radio links, operating continuously via solar power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, ESnet\u2019s Greenfield Wireless team deployed the Wireless Test Tower at Berkeley Lab for initial trials, achieving private cellular transmission up to 3.5 miles. They then took on field tests at AmeriFlux soil-emissions sites in California and geothermal research sites in Utah and Nevada \u2014 and confirmed the system\u2019s ability to identify optimal wireless solutions for each environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By lowering data retrieval costs, enabling real-time processing of large datasets, and integrating with ESnet\u2019s fiber backbone or partner networks, the Greenfield Wireless prototype opens new possibilities for remote science. The team\u2019s ultimate goal is to document and openly share this blueprint, enabling other research institutions and national labs to replicate and deploy similar systems, with ESnet providing support and expertise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wielandt connects to the directional radiolink unit for a test at the Ormat site.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The test tower set up on a sensor pad at the Fervo site, the Wi-Fi HaLow unit set up at the site\u2019s westernmost pad, and a 30x magnified view of the test tower from the HaLow unit\u2019s location.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The test tower set up on a sensor pad at the Fervo site, the Wi-Fi HaLow unit set up at the site\u2019s westernmost pad, and a 30x magnified view of the test tower from the HaLow unit\u2019s location.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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