Designed in collaboration with Morse Micro, GL.iNet’s HalowLink 2 is a Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah) access point and extender that offers up to 1 km range and supports up to 1,000 IoT end devices.
It’s an update to the earlier HaLowLink 1 Wi-Fi HaLow gateway with the exact same functionality, except it replaces a Morse Micro MM6108-based module with an MM8108-based module that offers a higher max link rate (43.3 Mbps vs 32.5 Mbps), broader region support, higher device capacity, and potentially better /performance range with up to 26 dBm Tx power (vs 23dBm in the first generation model).
HalowLink 2 specifications:
SoC – Mediatek MT7621 dual-core, quad-thread MIPS1004K processor @ up to 880MHz
System Memory – 256MB DDR3
Storage – 32MB NAND Flash
Connectivity
AzureWave AW-HM677 module with Morse Micro MM8108 HaLow chipset supporting Wi-Fi HaLow, IEEE 802.11ah, Sub-GHz, 43.3 Mbps, ultra-low power, WPA3
Sub-GHz frequency range (750 MHz – 950 MHz, region-dependent)
Supports 1/2/4/8 MHz bandwidth modes
Up to 26 dBm output power (limited to 14 dBm in Europe, 16 dBm in Japan)
Range – Up to 1 km
802.11s Mesh and EasyMesh support
Supports HaLow Station (STA) and Access Point (AP) modes
External WiFi HaLow antenna
Wi-Fi – 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11n) based on Mediatek MR7603E, 2×2 MIMO via 2x internal 2.4 GHz WiFi antennas
Ethernet
2x Gigabit Ethernet port (1x WAN, 1x LAN)
Supports Virtual Wire Mode for legacy Ethernet devices
USB – 1x USB-C port for power and network access
Misc
Mode button (Access point/Extender selection)
Status LED, Wi-Fi HaLow LED, Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz LED
Power Supply – 5V/2A power via USB-C port
Dimensions – 88 × 68 × 24mm
Weight – Unit: 102 grams; with antenna and stand: 168 grams
Certifications – FCC & IC certified
Temperature Range – Operating: -0 ~ 40°C; storage: -20 ~ 45°C
The HaLowLink 2 can be connected to Wi-Fi HaLow-enabled devices (usually cameras) or standard 2.4 GHz WiFi devices. The solution can be used as a WiFi extender using two HalowLink 2 gateways, for example, to extend Internet connectivity between two buildings a few hundred meters away from each other, or connect a traditional WiFi camera that’s too far away from your broadband router.
The operating system is based on OpenWrt 23.05 (source code on GitHub), and the device supports WebUI and SSH/CLI configuration, status dashboard, wizards for easy configuration, and OTA upgrades. Another difference compared to the HalowLink 1, which was supported in the USA, Canada, and Australia, is that the HalowLink 2 adds support for Europe (including the UK) and Japan. You should be able to use the device in other regions, but you’d have to check compliance with local regulations.
Configuration wizard
The HalowLink 2 WiFI Halow access point and extender is sold for $129 on the GL.iNet store, or $233.82 for two. You’ll find more information and links to purchase in Europe, APAC (Japan only), Canada, and the UK on the product page on the GL.iNet website. More technical details may also be found on the Morse Micro website.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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