Benefits of a Radio and Platform Agnostic Mesh Control Layer

 
Transparent to Network/Security Layer: The distributed control layer operates above the MAC layer of the radio. It functions as a layer 2 bridge between the backhaul and service radios. L3 functionality is thus unaffected. Note: all standard Layer 3 Network/Security functionality is unaffected.
Radio, Protocol and Platform Agnostic: By sitting above the MAC, our MeshControl^TM software is designed to be both radio and platform agnostic.  As shown in Figure 2, This enables a 802.16 (WIMAX) node to communicate with a 802.11 (Wi-Fi) meshed node, and the WiFi mesh node to communicate with a 802.15 (Zigbee) sensor mesh node, all operating in unison as part of the same distributed control system.
 
A common control layer protocol enables features like dynamic latency or throughput control to function across the protocol boundary as one distributed but cooperating entity. 
 

Modular and Extensible approach ensures future proofing.  The mesh control software emulates multiple port bridges and as such support multiple input and output interfaces. There are no inherent software limitations on the number of service radios or the number of backhaul radios supported.
 
The benefit: a cost effective and long terms upgrade path supporting future needs for more performance.

For example, 2-radio units are like 3 radio units but without a service radio- one backhaul radio doubles as both a service radio and a backhaul. Where client density is low - as in rural areas - 2-radio performance is adequate. As client density increases, 2-radio systems deployed on 4 mini-PCI slot platforms can be easily upgraded to 3-radio units by adding one more a/b/g radio and upgrading the software.
 
2-Radio units are thus a cost effective, scalable starter unit for WISPs covering low density areas or smaller area - but supports a migration strategy from 2-radio to 3-Radio when subscriber base increases.
   
Same Protocol for both Ad Hoc and Infrastructure Mesh: The Mesh Control Layer comes in two flavors: Structured Mesh for Infrastructure Meshes and 1-Radio Ad Hoc Meshes for PAN, Sensor Networks. Both use the same control communications protocol: the multi-radio Infrastructure Mesh variant can talk to single radio ad hoc mesh variants and vice versa. 
 
Hybrid Mesh Networks. Since the modules have a common language supporting both single radio ad hoc mesh and multi-radio Structured Mesh, MeshDynamics are in a unique position to supply hybrid mesh software solutions.

More Mesh Network Information:

• Various Approaches of Mesh Networking
• Hybrid Mesh Networks
• Wireless ISP Mesh Networks
• Technical Overview of Mesh Networks
• Advantages of Structured Mesh Network Modules
• Mesh Network Management Platform
• Benefits of a Mesh Control Layer
• Performance Analysis of Mesh Networks
• Test Results of Mesh Networks Real World Testing
• Deploying Wi-Fi Cellular Networks for Voice over IP Services