People-Powered Networks
A frequently asked questions
Yes. Assert Locations are still precise (at a resolution 12). The precise location helps the network formulate proof-of-coverage challenges. Any changes to the assert location resolution will be presented in a HIP and brought to a community vote. There is no ETA for this at the moment.
Each Hotspot’s transmit scale is a formula based on its density in a number of resolutions (from resolution 12 to resolution 4). Hotspot A that occupies the same resolution as Hotspot B may be in a very dense resolution 10 hexagon, thus lowering their scale, while Hotspot B may be the only Hotspot occupying its resolution 10 hexagon, meaning their scale is not affected.
Two Hotspots may occupy the same resolution 8 hexagons even if they are more than 300 meters away. Remember that a resolution 8 hexagon has an area of 737.3276 m² with edges measuring 461.354684 meters.
For every Hotspot at a resolution 12, we scale up to a resolution 8 and snap the Hotspot location to the center of resolution 8. This is why you may see the location shift. This will not affect how the system calculates proof-of-coverage.
To protect Hotspot owner’s privacy, the Helium app and Explorer will use hexagons instead of precise locations to display coverage.
- 3-5 Witnesses >250HNT per month
- 5-15 Witnesses >650HNT per month
- 15< Witnesses >1100HNT per month
To get better scale please be aware thet this depends directlly to Hotspot position. You can check Helium.place to calculate better spot hor your new hotspot.
The People’s Network utilizes two new currency objects, Helium Tokens and Helium Network Data Credits.
Helium Tokens
Hotspots earn Helium Tokens (Helium) for providing and validating wireless coverage and for transferring device data. A fixed amount of Helium is mined each month.
Data Credits
Helium Tokens can be converted into Data Credits. Data Credits can only be used to pay for wireless bandwidth, are non-exchangable and tied to a single-user.
https:// intercom.help/heliumnetwork/en/articles/3085289-helium-token-economics
Data Credits are required to send data over the Helium Network. One Data Credit equals 24 bytes of payload. Any number that exceeds 24 bytes is rounded up, so a packet with a 25-byte payload would cost the same as one with 47 bytes, i.e., two Data Credits.
The price of Data Credits is fixed in USD. Data Credits are non-transferrable, and can only be used by their original owner. Data Credits cannot be re-sold or traded. Data Credits are similar to pre-paid cellphone minutes or airline miles.
Users can directly acquire Data Credits using Console either using a credit card or converting HNT.
To be clear the only way Data Credits are created is by converting HNT, however, Helium Inc. is making it easy for customers to purchase Data Credits with a credit card.
During the credit card purchase process Helium Inc converts the required number of HNT into Data Credits for the customer and deposits them into their Console account.
https:// intercom.help/heliumnetwork/en/articles/3085280-what-are-data-credits
Hotspots’ miners earn HNT when LoRa-enabled IoT devices connect and for validating wireless coverage delivered by peers’ LoRaWAN gateways. Using the system called ‘proof-of-coverage’, Helium Compatible LoRaWAN gateways mine more HNT when they are in the range of other Helium compatible LoRa gateways, but need to be at least 300 meters apart.
Helium Network Token (HNT) is the cryptocurrency that is mined by the Hostpots during its wireless IoT network operations. When connected to a nearby Hotspot, a ‘proof of coverage’ is delivered that validates LoRa gateway real availability, as well as its related coverage. This confirmation simultaneously triggers the generation of Helium’s native cryptocurrency, Helium Network Token (HNT), using the gateway-embedded miner, thus rewarding Helium Network participants and granting coverage for hundreds of square miles throughout the community. Helium proposes a wireless economy with two units of exchange: HNT (Helium Network Token) & Data Credits (to connect to and use the community open wireless IoT network).
The power requirement is 5 watts (roughly equivalent to an LED light bulb).
To participate in earning rewards by providing coverage a hotspot needs to prove its location to its peers. If the hotspot is mobile it cannot prove its location, there’s a very low probability it can earn rewards.
Yes, you can in the sense that area means in the same neighborhood. Several hotspots stacked in a closet will not help build the network. The thinking is higher density areas will see more usage traffic and participants who have helped build the network will benefit from an increased number of companies using an affordable wireless network for machine connectivity.
Hotspots have to be connected to the internet at all times. You can use Ethernet or Wi-Fi to connect to the internet.
No. We’ve built this network to encourage participation from as large of a community as possible. The amount of data sent by a device is very small typically within 5 kbps.
All compatible devices communicate via hotspots. There is no direct communication or meshing in our network.
The applications we’re targeting for traffic typically within 5 kbps.
Nope, The Helium Hotspot uses Long-Fi and uses your existing internet connection broadcast a radio signal, connecting low-power devices in your area….devices such as dog-collars, environmental sensors etc. that only need to transmit and share small bits of information (like a location or temperature). It does not replace internet or cellular service for regular devices like computers and smartphones.
It’s best to have at least 2 other hotspots within radio range of you, so that you can participate in PoC Challenges to earn rewards. If you are the only hotspot in your area, you can still earn tokens if a device uses your signal and by initiating the Challenges, though.
If hotspots are too close (within 300-350 meters or so) they will end up not being able to witness each other and may compete with each other for Challenges. Their overall participation in Proof-of-Coverage would be impacted. It’s better to have them spaced out, at least a few houses or blocks away, to broaden network coverage.
Once set up and connected to the internet, there are 5 ways your hotspot earns (with no additional work from you!):
• When a device sends information over the network using your hotspot
• By initiating PoC Challenges over the internet
• By participating in a PoC Challenge
• By acting as a Witness to a PoC Challenge between nearby hotspots.
• Being a part of a Consensus Group
Any nearby hotspots can act as a Witness and hear the Beacon over the radio. That means its radio signal is available, and it’s in range, proving its location. When an active challenge packet arrives, they record the SHA256 of the packet they saw, along with the time of arrival and signal strength, and report this back to the Challenger. The Challenger then includes this receipt, if valid, in the completed challenge proof.
As it’s a one-hope PoC, rather than challenging additional hotspots in the area, this concludes the Challenge.
If there are known Hotspots in the neighborhood, they just may not be able to hear you because of interference or its position is poor.
Note: Newer high-rise buildings often have a UV protective layer on the outside of the building glass that is known to block and interfere with radio signals. Move the Hotspot outside or purchase an outdoor antenna so it can bypass the glass.
There are a few ways to fix this.
Moving the Hotspot to a different window
Placing the Hotspot outdoors. Look for IP-66 Waterproof cases. You can purchase these from mouser.com, amazon.com, or most hardware stores.
No it won’t. This network is built for a new class of devices that only require transferring small amounts of data over long ranges, for example, location data, environmental data (air quality, humidity, noise, temperature etc).
No you can’t. The network is meant for transferring small amounts of data at this time.
No you can’t. The network is meant for transferring small amounts of data at this time.
If you’re wondering how much your hotspot can earn, the answer is… It depends. The best way to gauge this is to head on over to the Helium Coverage Map and look at hotspots near where you plan to install the hotspots. In addition another great tool is helium.place,
helium.place lets you visualize hotspot placement and coverage overlaps.
Different frequency by region
We’ve also added a Handy Guides section to explain topics such as:
It will effect your earnings.
Depending on how close, it will lower your rewards scale.
The highest is 1.0 and you’ll see some hotspots that are too close to each other which are earning way less, .25.
The best thing to do is check the coverage map over at helium’s website to get an estimate of earnings around you.
You can also use hotspotRF to help give you more information and estimates about how, you can potentially earn.
