Wireless Mesh Network

• Nodes are comprised of mesh routers and

mesh clients.
• Each node operates not only as a host but also
as a router,
• dynamically self-organized and self-configured
– automatically establishing and maintaining mesh
connectivity among themselves
mesh routers based on different
embedded systems
PowerPC ARM
 Mesh clients

• (i) laptop, (ii) PDA, (iii) Wi-Fi IP phone, (iv) Wi-Fi RFID reader
 Network Architecture
• WMNs consist of two types of nodes:
– mesh routers
• be built based on dedicated computer systems, e.g.,
embedded systems.
• Equipped with multiple wireless interfaces
• lower transmission power through multihop
communications.
– mesh clients
• gateway or bridge functions do not exist in these nodes.
• have only one wireless interface.
• hardware platform and the software much simpler than
those for mesh routers
Classification of architecture of WMNs
• Infrastructure/Backbone WMNs
(Infrastructure Meshing)
– mesh routers that form an infrastructure for clients
– various types of radio technology, (including IEEE
802.11 technology)
– mesh routers
• gateway functionality, can be connected to the Internet.
• provides backbone for conventional clients
• enables the integration of WMNs with existing wireless
networks
• Two types of radio are used in the routers,
– backbone communication and user communication
Infrastructure/Backbone WMNs
 Cont.,
• Client WMNs (Client Meshing)
– provides peer-to-peer networks among client
devices
– No mesh router
– Function of client nodes
• routing and configuration functionalities
• providing end-user applications to customers
Client WMNs
 Cont.,
• Hybrid WMNs
– combination of infrastructure and client
meshing
– Mesh clients
• access the network through mesh routers
• directly meshing with other mesh clients.
Hybrid WMNs
 characteristics of WMNs
• Multihop wireless network
• Support for ad hoc networking, and capability of self-
forming, self-healing, and self-organization
• Mobility dependence on the type of mesh nodes
• Multiple types of network access
• Dependence of power-consumption constraints on
the type of mesh nodes
• Compatibility and interoperability with existing
wireless networks
 Comparison of WMN and ad hoc
network
WMN Ad-hoc network