I can't speak for the creators of Flutter, but I can definitely attest to that TCP/IP with full mesh routing should be doable with the Flutter hardware. We (Thingsquare) have the CC1101 as one of our supported hardware platforms and use it to run full TCP/IPv6 networking over a self-forming mesh. The system is used in a number of commercial products and systems. The chip-level firmware is open source so I guess the creators or backers of the Flutter system might even be able use it pretty much out of the box: http://thingsquare.com/tech/
One of the things needed to get full IP routing working is to do channel switching over the sub-GHz connection. Both the FCC and ETSI regulations let you transmit at a higher power and with longer bursts if you switch channels with a regular interval and if you back off if you find other transmissions in your channel.
That said, TCP/IP routing over a sub-GHz CC1101 link isn't going to be very fast. It is suitable for automated devices but not a general purpose replacement for WiFi connectivity. For IEEE 802.15.4g-compliance, the raw bit rate is 50 kbit/s which isn't a lot. The CC1101 can be run in faster, non-802.15.4g compliant, modes though.
Agreed. This isn't going to form the 'alternate Internet' that some people are clamoring for. But there are tons of applications (machine->machine) where a basic serial/ssh is all that's required.
We've had similar hardware in the field for 3+ years now, covering ~50 square kilometers in a mesh configuration.
Absolutely! There's lots of hardware around, but being able to turn an Arduino project into an emergency beacon or IP link has some benefits too, and $20 is likely cheaper than what's been around. At $20 these are commodity prices, which I don't think we've had for high quality general purpose computing + wireless platforms.
It's always good to see cheaper hardware - our early 'proof of concept' hardware were based on an 'Arduino FIO' + 'XBee Pro' which came out to ~$60. Then quickly migrated to a TI MSP430 + CC2500(CC1100) which slashed the price to <$20 all told. We're now on the ARM M3/M4 SoC bandwagon as well. So I understand that angle.
I'm sorta curious as to what you plan on using the $80k for. Are you going to farm out PCB fabrication to OSHpark/China/whatever - or get a pick and place machine, CNC mill, and try to do everything inhouse?
We have a lot of resources for manufacturing in China. I've personally ordered a few thousand assembled boards from Gold Phoenix through the course of my old job, which was... fun.
We've got a lot of connections in Silicon Valley to tap too for finding hardware partners. I'm not particularly interested in becoming a fab house, unless it's cheaper (including headaches).
One of the things needed to get full IP routing working is to do channel switching over the sub-GHz connection. Both the FCC and ETSI regulations let you transmit at a higher power and with longer bursts if you switch channels with a regular interval and if you back off if you find other transmissions in your channel.
That said, TCP/IP routing over a sub-GHz CC1101 link isn't going to be very fast. It is suitable for automated devices but not a general purpose replacement for WiFi connectivity. For IEEE 802.15.4g-compliance, the raw bit rate is 50 kbit/s which isn't a lot. The CC1101 can be run in faster, non-802.15.4g compliant, modes though.