Wi-Fi Technology Forum - Wireless Reports and Papers

Wi-Fi Mesh Networks, The path to mobile Ad Hoc

1a- Makings of a Wi-Fi Mesh Network: Wireless Roaming Cells


Combining at least two P-to-P or P-to-Mp wireless cells create a roaming effect and thus is the start of a Wi-Fi™ Mesh Network. Roaming is the ability to maintain network connectivity while moving from one access point to another. The basic service set (BSS) is the area of RF coverage provided by an access point, also referred to as a wireless cell. The AP is the master for the wireless cell and controls traffic flow to and from the network for its given RF circle. The RF coverage of a wireless cell is limited and each county has its own set of rules of cell coverage.

To extend the BSS or to simply add wireless devices and increase the range of an existing wired system, an Access Point can be added, hints this unit is the point at which wireless end users can access the network. Because the wireless end users ranges from PDAs, Laptops, tabletops, PCs, these wireless accessible devices are called Wireless Clients (WC) by most manufactures.

Normally, Wireless Local Area Networks (Wireless LANs) are configured using a peer-to-multipoint network, which has one access point (AP) that controls communications with other wireless devices accessing the network. Signals in peer-to-multipoint networks converge at a single access point. The reliability of these networks is set by the quality of the RF linkage between the central AP and the end points.

In a real-world application, it can be problematical to find an ideal location for an access point that provides dependable communication with each end point, especially if two or more floors exist or due to a home’s physical structure. Moving an access point to improve communications with one node will often degrade communications with other end points. The status of a communication link between wireless devices, at any given time, is a function of their positions, transmission power levels, antenna patterns, interference levels, and many other minor phenomena.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bio: Jonathan Walker, P.E. is a staff member of the Wi-Fi Technology Forum and founder of Applied Wireless Local Area Network, Inc (http://www.AppliedWLAN.com). The company specializes in services surrounding Wireless and Wired LAN roaming: Free/Fee based Wi-Fi HotSpots, WLAN equipment reseller and WLAN marketing/training. Mr. Walker is a licensed professional engineer, an IEEE member, author and has a B.S. along with a M.S. in Engineering. The author may be reached at jwalker@wi-fiforum.com.

Added:  Tuesday, June 09, 2009
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