Mesh WLAN Networks: Concept and System Design

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Mesh WLAN Networks Concept and System Design

• S. M. Faccin, Nokia Tech. PlatformsC. Wijting
  and J. Kneckt, Nokia Research CenterA. Damle,
  Southern Methodist U.

IEEE Wireless Commun. Mag.Apr. 2006
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Outline

• Introduction
• Mesh WLAN Network
• What is Mesh WLAN Network ?
• Key Issue
• Topology Creation
• Routing
• Security
• QoS
• Power Efficiency

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Introduction

• Traditional wireless networks are based on the
  presence of an infrastructure.
• The increasing demand for WLAN coverage is
  driving the installation of a very large number
  of APs.
• The deployment of APs requires connecting the APs
  through wired connection.

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Introduction (cont.)

• Problem
• It introduces complexity and high cost.
• The deployment of wired connection.
• The APs may need to be moved often in order to
  accommodate the increasing traffic demands.
• A big party / conference / meeting.

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Introduction (cont.)

• Thus, the deployment of APs by interconnecting
  them through a wireless link is necessary in NG
  wireless network.
• 802.11 Mesh WLAN Network (802.11s)

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Mesh WLAN Network

• Goal of IEEE 802.11s
• Routing at Link Layer (Multi-hop)
• Automatic Topology Learning
• Dynamic Path Configuration
• Support broadcast, multicast and unicast at MAC
  Layer
• Participating devices more than 32
• The std. is aimed for approval in 2008

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Access Network
(a)
(b)
(d)
(c)
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Infrastructure Network

• The station (STA) scans for beacons after
  receiving beacons, it associates with the AP.
• AP is a L2 device.
• DHCP provides the STAs IP address.
• All packets are routed through the AP.
• Re-associate when STA mobile.
• Security is provided by 802.11i.
• QoS is provided by 802.11e.

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Ad Hoc Network

• Establishment IP connection using point to point
  link.
• Topology is dynamic.
• No Central controller.
• IP address are applied statically
• Security is provided at L3 and above.
• Qos is provided by 802.11e.

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Mixed Network

• Mixed mode allows STA to communicate directly
  among each other, even if some of them are
  connected to an AP.
• AP-controlled switching between two mode,
  dual-mode stack, and an integrated MAC layer.

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Mesh Network
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