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Distributed RF Nodes over Tailscale for Cooperative Beamforming

Distributed RF sensing systems require robust mesh
connectivity and coordinated beamforming to maximize spatial
diversity gains. We present a novel architecture leveraging
Tailscale’s WireGuard-based mesh overlay to enable cooperative
beamforming across geographically distributed RF nodes. Our
approach addresses the dual challenges of reliable inter-node
communication and maintaining phase coherence for constructive
interference. Through simulation and analysis of a 4-node array
at 2.45 GHz, we demonstrate up to 6 dB SNR improvement
over single-node operation under ideal coherence conditions.
Partial coherence analysis reveals performance sensitivity to
synchronization quality, with GPS-locked nodes achieving 5.9 dB
gain (98 % efficiency) while free-running nodes yield 2.7 dB (45 %
efficiency). Failover analysis shows sub-second recovery (250 ms
median) for WebSocket reconnections, enabling resilient realtime operation. The overlay mesh reduces coverage blind spots
and provides graceful degradation under node failures, making
it suitable for urban RF monitoring and SIGINT applications.
Index Terms—cooperative beamforming, distributed RF sensing, mesh networks, Tailscale, phase coherence, failover resilience