• CueLink vs. 802.11
• CueLink vs. Generic Ethernet Modems

CueLink vs. 802.11

Also known as WiFi or AirPort, the 802.11 standard comes in three flavors named 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Each of these standards were designed and developed with the goal of wirelessly connecting computers and office equipment in small office environments and residential home-networking environments.

The most common 802.11b uses the 2.4 GHz band, while 802.11a and 802.11g use the 5.8 GHz band. In all cases these standards have chosen to provide high-speed and low-cost Ethernet connectivity by giving up long-range and immunity to interference.

By the laws of physics, to increase the over-the-air data rate by a factor of 4, the range is cut in half. And this assumes that the transceivers are operating in "free space" - in the world we live in, the results are worse. Since 802.11 occupys a fixed 22MHz of bandwidth, it has limited multipath fading immunity and it is highly susceptable to jamming.

CueLink uses a frequency-hopping spread spectrum transmission scheme. CueLink has access to 43 discrete frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band that it constantly cycles through, sending bursts of data on each frequency. If a particular frequency is jammed or cannot reach the receiver, then that data is retransmitted on a different frequency that can deliver the data. This scheme provides much greater immunity to jamming by spreading the task of delivering data across a much wider region of the band than would otherwise be necessary to send the information.

In addition, CueLink incorporates it's unique "protocol specific" multicast packet filtering technique that further enhances the performance of CueLink when used as a wireless bridge for show control protocols. See the Smart "Protocol-Specific" Multicast Filtering page for more information about how CueLink can optimize show control networks.

The bottom line is that 802.11 is designed for short-range wireless connectivity. Attempting to use 802.11 outside of its intended application causes its performance to suffer considerably. CueLink was designed from the ground up as a high-performance wireless Ethernet bridge specifically optimized for the hostile wireless environments found in and around entertainment productions.

CueLink vs. Generic Ethernet Modems

Although CueLink uses RF transceiver technology that is similar to other "generic" frequency hopping wireless Ethernet modems use, CueLink has a number of unique features that make it better suited for show control applications than the alternatives.

First, CueLink includes a critical technology called "protocol specific" multicast packet filtering that enables the user to optimize how CueLink will process show control data. Without this feature, generic Ethernet modems can easily become overloaded with data that can slow down or make the wireless link unreliable. See the Smart "Protocol-Specific" Multicast Filtering page for more information about how CueLink can optimize show control networks.

The CueLink system also sports an easy-to-use software tool called CueLink Manager that makes a CueLink network a snap to set up. With CueLink Manager, the real power of CueLink is unleashed by allowing the user to set up powerful filtering and network topologies with a simple graphical user interface. From anywhere on the Ethernet network, any CueLink node can be configured, monitored or tweaked. CueLink Manager can also connect to a node locally by attaching an optional serial cable.

CueLink is also ruggedized for the abuse typically seen by equipment used for rental jobs, road tours and more. Constructed from a single-piece extruded aluminum shell, CueLink is built to last.