System architecture for a distributed digital signage system in developing countries: Leveraging open hardware, open source software, and open standards

This paper describes the architecture of a distributed digital signage system that is suitable to be deployed in a developing country setting. The design of the system, as much as possible, leverages open hardware, open source software, and open standards in order to reduce the impact from various technical, environmental, and cultural challenges that comparable deployments in developing countries have exhibited. The system comprises of three software elements: a content-management system constructed by repurposing an FTP server, a local content manager coded using a simple scripting language, and a multimedia player that utilizes an ordinary browser. The system is also made up of three major hardware nodes: a server built from a standard desktop computer, an access point procured locally, and a digital signage unit that is constructed from a standard LCD television connected to a single-board computer.