2002 Research

Research Details:

 

Overall Statistics:
1) 13,707 unique nodes within Manhattan
2) 4,038 (29.46%) WEP enabled
3) 12,533 (91.44%) nodes below 96th street
4) 8,251 (60.20%) nodes below 59th street
5) 3,758 (27.42%) nodes below14th street
6) Approx. 1,000,000 data points collected.
7) EACH DATA POINT COLLECTED CONTAINS:

  • Longitude & Latitude,
  • Date
  • Time
  • Signal
  • Noise
  • Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
  • Channel
  • SSID
  • BSSID (MAC address)
  • WEP on/off
  • Vendor NAME (manufacturer)
  • Beacon Interval

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View some sample maps.

Data Collection Process:
The data was collected over the summer of 2002 in which ~50 individual "survey sessions" were driven. All survey sessions were conducted in an identical manner with the use of a "pre-flight check list" to eliminate variations in equipment setup and configuration. Each piece of equipment/software used along with its serial No., driver versions, and software configurations were recorded and maintained consistently throughout the entire survey.

A digital GPS log of the "track" driven was recorded and is part of the research archive. The GPS tracks of the survey route were mapped to validate coverage and is part of the research archive. Also, a laminated "working map" used during the drive is part of the research archive. This "working map" is marked with the survey teams' actual drive route in wax pencil as they drove street by street. The digital GPS track data can be verified against the laminated "working map" used by the team. Correlation between the GPS track data and the laminated "working map" is very high (+90%).

Researcher notes containing weather, temperature, time, system status, and other relevant observations to the survey were maintained at all times and are part of the research archive. All research was conducted in good weather and never during rain.

Hardware:
* Garmin Legend GPS
* 250 mW RF amplifier
* 5.5 dBi gain omni directional antenna
* Lucent Orinoco gold card
* HP Omnibook 500
* Red Nissan (91 hp)

 

That was a lot of work, did you do it all by yourself?
No way, this research would never have been possible if it were not for all the volunteers and donations (equipment and knowledge) made by our many friends. To them I extend my heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciations.

Thanks for your support,

Marcos R. Lara
Founder and Managing Director
Marcos@PublicInternetProject.org