Wireless mesh network

About: Wireless mesh network is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 13600 publications have been published within this topic receiving 221035 citations. The topic is also known as: WMN.

The availability and reliability of wireless multi-hop networks with stochastic link failures

Abstract: The network reliability and availability in wireless multi-hop networks can be inadequate due to radio induced interference. It is therefore common to introduce redundant nodes. This paper provides a method to forecast how the introduction of redundant nodes increases the reliability and availability of such networks. For simplicity, it is assumed that link failures are stochastic and independent, and the network can be modelled as a random graph. First, the network reliability and availability of a static network with a planned topology is explored. This analysis is relevant to mesh networks for public access, but also provides insight into the reliability and availability behaviour of other categories of wireless multi-hop networks. Then, by extending the analysis to also consider random geometric graphs, networks with nodes that are randomly distributed in a metric space are also investigated. Unlike many other random graph analyses, our approach allows for advanced link models where the link failure probability is continuously decreasing with an increasing distance between the two nodes of the link. In addition to analysing the steady-state availability, the transient reliability behaviour of wireless multi-hop networks is also found. These results are supported by simulations.

A Channel Assignment Algorithm for Multi-Radio Wireless Mesh Networks

Abstract: The focus of this paper is on wireless mesh networks. In particular, we study the multi-radio case, given the considerable improvement in network throughput that multiple radios allow to achieve and the availability of cost-effective wireless devices. Interesting research problems are still unsolved in this field. Due to the scarcity of non-overlapped frequency channels and available radios per node, interference is still present, which cuts the achievable throughput down. As interference depends on how channels are bound to radio interfaces, a proper channel assignment scheme is needed to reduce the interference. In this paper we identify some key requirements of a channel assignment scheme. Accordingly, a centralized channel assignment algorithm is developed for multi-radio wireless mesh networks in order to maximize the throughput and address the interference problems. Finally, a performance study is presented to assess the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm.

Method and Apparatus for Ad Hoc Mesh Routing

Abstract: Packets are routed in a wireless mesh network by assigning a probability of packet retransmission based on certain factors which may include the number of hops the packet has made, whether the destination is within a certain number of known hops of the receiving node, the number of nearby nodes, whether the receiving node is a member of a past known route to the destination and/or whether a nearby neighbor of the receiving node is a member of a past known route to the destination. Once a probability is assigned, a random number generator may be used to make a decision between retransmitting the packet and dropping the packet. Signal quality may also be used as a factor in the probability of retransmission. In a preferred embodiment, Bloom filters are used to store information in the header of a data packet containing the identifiers of forwarding nodes and the identifiers of nodes on a previously-successful route from the source to the destination.

Channel assignments within a mesh network

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of assigning a channel to a link of an access node within a wireless mesh network, is disclosed The method includes the access node receiving beacons over multiple channels, from at least one upstream device, and the access node selecting an uplink channel based upon the received beacons Additional methods include the access node selecting a downlink channel so that different channels are assigned to consecutive links within a data path between a gateway and a down stream device The different channels can include non-overlapping channels, or a combination of non-overlapping and at least partially overlapping channels The method can further include selecting a downstream link channel based upon predetermined sequences of channel selections, and a hop count of the access node