Wireless Mesh Networks: Next Generation Wireless Networks

By

Vinjosh 12MCS1047

Overview
Intro on WMNs WMNs and Adhoc Networks Characteristics of WMNs Network Architecture

Research Issues in Network Architecture

Overview
Design Challenges Layered Communication Protocols Test Beds Applications

Conclusion

What are WMNs?

Contain Static mesh routers Mesh Clients- can be mobile nodes Self-organized, Auto configurable Flexible wireless Internet connectivity

Characteristics

WMN Entities
Router Client Node Gateway

How WMNs different from Ad hoc Networks??

Ad hoc Networks Decentralized Doesnt rely on preexisting Infrastructure

Each node forwards data

Dynamic Routing

Free to associate with any other adhoc devices

within range

How WMNs different from Ad hoc Networks??

How WMNs different from Ad hoc Networks??

Characteristics of WMNs
1. Increased Reliability High reliability and path diversity-redundant Grace degradation of communication instead of full loss of connectivity Robust against potential problemsnode,link

Characteristics of WMNs
2. Low Installation costs Expensive cabled connection to the wired Internet backbone - WiFi AP WMN - Few points of connection to wired network Implementations and modifications with a reasonable costs

Characteristics of WMNs
3. Large Coverage Area Coverage & Connectivity in WLANs Multi-hop & Multi-channel communication among mesh routers Long transmission range

Characteristics of WMNs
4. Improved transmission rate, energy efficiency Short range communications Forwarding function Alternative routing decisions

Characteristics of WMNs
5. Integrity Flexibility to integrate radio access networks Supports a variety of wireless networks Includes WiMAX, WiFi, Zigbee etc

Characteristics of WMNs
6. Automatic Network Connectivity Mesh Clients & Routers automatically
establish network connectivity Seamless multi-hop interconnection service New nodes automatically discover possible

routers to reach wired internet

Easily expanded Operational costs

Characteristics of WMNs
7. Self Heal

Network Architecture
Ring based cell architecture

Backbone Wireless Mesh Network

Backbone with End-user Wireless Mesh Network Relay - based Wireless Mesh Network

Ring based cell architecture

Wide coverage area

Rings of clients are served, each set called a mesh cell

Each ring is allocated with different channel Node in one ring acts as relay to the other Gateways/Routers finally linked to the internet

Backbone Wireless Mesh Network

Base station forwards other BSs traffic

Flexibility to integrate other wireless networks

Incremental deployment High reliability

Backbone with end-user WMN

Both Base Stations & end-users forwards traffic

End-users capable of routing, self organizing

Improves coverage area Reduces infrastructure costs

Relay-based Wireless Mesh Network

Relay acts as Light Weight BS/AP

Amplify & Forward

Decode & Forward Relays can be repeaters, bridges, routers

Open Research Issues in Network Architecture

Network Planning position, routers/interfaces, topology Network Provisioning network management tool Network Integration low cost method and interfaces

Design Challenges/Performance Considerations

Interoperability & Integrity of Heterogeneous requirements
Network Security DoS , intrusions, authentication Scalability without degrading performance Heterogeneous QoS Requirements-file transfer to real MM Dynamic Network Connectivity & Self Configuration Mobility Support location management

Network Management Tools fault identification, service

level agreements, accounting

Layered Communication Protocols

Application Layer Internet Access Public Safety - police, fire, first responders Building automation Electric utility automation-fault detection, meter Info sharing within WMNsP2P protocols Transportation systems

Layered Communication Protocols

Application Layer - Issues Cross layer approach QoS requirements Design of new applications Integration of Public & Private Networks Internet service, AP - sellers

Layered Communication Protocols

Transport Layer TCP based solutions in context of WMN Under utilization of network resources Transport Protocols for real time communication TFRC RCP -loss detected, reduces rate

Layered Communication Protocols

Transport Layer - Issues Adaptive Transport Protocol design Cross Layer Design

Layered Communication Protocols

Routing Layer Routing Algorithm Distributed Independent of any traffic profile Resistant to link quality variations Reduced Overhead Routing algorithms

Layered Communication Protocols

Routing Algorithms
AODV (Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector) DSDV (Destination-Sequenced Distance-Vector Routing) DSR (Dynamic Source Routing) HRA(Hierarchical Routing Algorithm)

HWMP (Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol)

IWMP (Infrastructure Wireless Mesh Protocol) for Infrastructure Mesh Networks by GRECO MRP (Wireless mesh networks routing protocol) by Jangeun Jun and Mihail L. Sichitiu OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing protocol) OORP (OrderOne Routing Protocol) (OrderOne Networks Routing Protocol) OSPF (Open Shortest Path First Routing) PWRP (Predictive Wireless Routing Protocol)

Layered Communication Protocols

Routing Layer - Hierarchical Routing algorithm Routers divided into regions Each router knows how to route packets within its own region Routing table smaller compared to DVR Region switch made with the help of routing table

Hierarchical Routing algorithm

Layered Communication Protocols

Routing Layer - Issues Routing Metrics Performance of Routing algorithm Multi channel Multi radio Wireless Mesh Networks

Layered Communication Protocols

MAC - Issues Synchronization
Wasted Time Channel switching Preserve Network Connectivity radio interfaces share common channel

Limit Channel Usage

Network Integration Adaptive to Network Configuration change

Test Beds
BWN Lab at Georgia Institute of Technology - 15 mesh routers,80 sensor nodes across a floor - Router placement - Mobility - Link failures

- Overall network performance

Test Beds
Roofnet at MIT - Broadband Internet access to users in Cambridge - currently 40 active nodes - Routing protocols - Node density

- Overall network performance

Roofnet at MIT

Test Beds
Quail Ridge Wireless mesh network - Located in Lake Berryssa, California - Outdoor environment - Wildlife monitoring - Node density, link quality

- Overall network performance

Quail Ridge WMN

Applications
Military forces

66-satellite Iridium constellation

ISPs ITS (Intelligent transport systems) Safety & Emergency, Isolated Locations Video Surveillance

Mesh Providers
SkyPilot Strix Systems Procera Networks Aruba Networks

BelAir Networks

Air Mesh MSR2000

High Performance RF Management End to End Security Visualization Tools

Conclusion

WMN is a promising wireless technology for several emerging and commercially interesting applications, e.g., broadband home networking, community and neighborhood networks, coordinated network management, intelligent transportation systems.

Different from traditional wireless networks, WMNs are dynamically self-organized and self-configured. The self-configuration feature of WMNs brings many advantages for the end-users, such as low up-front cost, easy network maintenance, robustness, and reliable service coverage.

References

V. C. Gungor, E. Natalizio, P. Pace, and S. Avallone, Challenges and Issues in Designing Architectures and Protocols for Wireless Mesh Networks, Springer Science, 2008. I. F. Akyildiz, X. Wang, and W. Wang, Wireless mesh networks: A survey, Computer Networks Journal (Elsevier), March 2005.

M. J. Lee, J. Zheng, Y. Ko, and D. M. Shrestha, Emerging standards for wireless

mesh technology, IEEE Wireless Communications, April 2006.

Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network

http://connectonetworks.com/index.php/wmn http://arubanetworks.com