Alfa HaLow-R

The ALFA Network HaLow-R is an indoor IoT router and extender that combines WiFi HaLow based on IEEE 802.11ah with conventional WiFi 4 connectivity on 2.4 GHz. The HaLow radio operates in license-exempt sub-1 GHz bands at 868 or 915 MHz, supporting channel widths of 1, 2, 4, or 8 MHz and data rates from 150 kbps to 15 Mbps. This connection is intended for long-range, ultra-low-power WiFi networking, giving the device a dedicated wireless path for connected equipment that uses the HaLow standard. A separate SMA connector and detachable 3 dBi dipole antenna are provided for this radio within the same indoor installation.

Alongside HaLow, the router supports IEEE 802.11n WiFi 4 with 20 or 40 MHz channels and a data rate of up to 300 Mbps. This interface uses two RP-SMA connectors with two detachable 5 dBi dipole antennas, forming the 2.4 GHz side of the device. The WiFi 4 connection can share Internet access with common client devices such as laptops and smartphones, while the HaLow interface serves the lower-frequency network. By combining both wireless standards in one indoor unit, HaLow-R can connect sub-1 GHz devices and standard 2.4 GHz clients through a single router or extender platform instead of requiring separate hardware for each wireless environment.

HaLow-R is built around two dedicated chipsets: the MediaTek MT7628 for WiFi 4 and the Morse Micro MM6108 for IEEE 802.11ah operation. The system includes 128 MB of RAM and 2 MB of Flash storage and runs OpenWrt firmware with source code available. This provides the software environment for the routing and wireless functions delivered by the unit. For wired integration, the device includes one Fast Ethernet port with ESD protection, allowing it to connect to an Ethernet network while adding protection at the physical interface. A push-button reset control is also available for restoring the device when required during setup or maintenance.

Separate indicators show the status of power, Ethernet, WiFi, HaLow, and reset or system activity, making it easier to identify the condition of each major function without opening the management interface. Power is supplied through a 12 V, 1 A DC input, providing a defined external power requirement for installation. The wired port, status indicators, reset button, and power connection are integrated into one indoor device, keeping the essential control and connection points together. This practical arrangement allows the router to be connected, powered, monitored, and reset directly at the unit. Combined with its OpenWrt-based software platform and dedicated processing hardware, the physical interface layout supports straightforward integration into indoor IoT and conventional network environments.