Difference in behavior between Heltec and Alfa Network router

Software
1

Hi!

I am using two different routers. One by Heltec, and one by Alfa Network. I have noticed a significant difference in their performance in low RSSI conditions when streaming video. The Alfa Network router provides a much more stable video for the same RSSI. It also reconnects much more smoothly after going out of range and coming back in.

I discussed with @bigboy061293 and we think it might be related to the used BCF files. I checked and they are are different, see below. Before trying to change the BCF on the Heltec router, can somebody confirm that this behavior might be explained by the difference in BCF?

Heltec loads firmware mm6108.bin size 444304 bytes with CRC 0x1c6a0f92, and BCF bcf_mf08551.bin size 1150 bytes with CRC 0xf1cf6f9f.

Alfa Network loads firmware mm6108.bin size 433044 bytes with CRC 0x436ba524, and BCF bcf_mf04151.bin size 915 bytes with CRC 0x1f859379.

Thanks!

2

Hi there! This is Sabrina from the Heltec Support team.

To help us investigate the performance differences you’re seeing, could you please specify whether your Heltec router is the 7608 V1 or V2?

Additionally, it would be invaluable if you could share a few more details about：

  1. Other products or the specific setup being used in your project.

  2. Which Halow node are you using for the terminal device?

  3. How are the Halow gateway and the upstream network connected, and how are the video terminal and the Halow node connected? Are they connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet?

We’re looking forward to helping you get this resolved!

3

Hi Sabrina, thanks for reaching out!

My setup is as follows. Next to the router I am using an Android tablet connected to the route via ethernet. The video is captured by a custom device that incorporates a Morse Micro module and an NXP i.MX8M-mini SoM.

I am not sure about the version, I do not have the devices on me right now. But I ordered from here last October.

4

The BCF settings cannot be changed arbitrarily; the configuration of Halo modules may vary between different manufacturers, and changing them could lead to malfunctions.