SmartBackhaul is the Somewear routing engine that selects the best available network path for every packet in real time. Operators do not need to choose a transport — just send. SmartRelay & SmartBackhaul handle the rest.

Self Healing Mesh

Somewear’s SmartRelay algorithm runs on Node firmware to enable more operators to work in an area and cut down on unnecessary re-transmissions. The algorithm automatically maintains awareness of nearby devices and relative signal strength to ensure that messages reach all possible users in the mesh network.

Messages reach teammates well beyond direct radio range by relaying from Node to Node. Each Node re-broadcasts — hops — a message along to the next, so coverage extends across the team rather than stopping at the edge of any one radio’s range. A message relays up to four times, reaching as far as six devices end to end: the sender, up to four relaying Nodes in between, and the recipient.

Path Selection

SmartBackhaul evaluates available paths and routes each packet independently over various paths, in priority order.

With all messages or data shared in Somewear, the algorithm will make a strong effort to deliver to the server for routing to team members via high-bandwidth connection or satcom.

Each packet is routed independently. A single message may reach different teammates via different paths — a teammate in mesh range receives via mesh; a teammate outside range receives via satellite.

The delivery icon on each sent message confirms the path used for that specific delivery.

What This Means in the Field

• No transport selection required — just send.
• If your own satellite connection isn’t available, SmartBackhaul will automatically route to a mesh member with good signal or a high-bandwidth connection — no manual override needed.
• Delivery icons — mesh , high-bandwidth , satellite — confirm which path was used after each delivery.

Controlling Available Paths

Toggle state	Effect
Backhaul OFF	Your Node will not use its satellite, cellular, or Wi-Fi connections to backhaul data for others in your mesh network.
Satellite OFF	Disables Iridium satellite; mesh and high-bandwidth only.
Mesh Radio OFF	Disables LoRa mesh; satellite and high-bandwidth only
All three ON	Mesh, Satcom, and high-bandwidth will all be used as available.

The Backhaul, Satellite, and Mesh Radio toggles in Hardware Settings determine which paths SmartBackhaul can use.