Local and metropolitan multimesh networks

A new class of networks called multiaccess mesh networks (or multimesh networks) is introduced. In a N×M multimesh, the stations are partitioned into N+M linear media access subnetworks and arranged in a N×M mesh. This give each station access to two separate linear subnetworks. The operation of a multimesh is hierarchical with two distinct levels. At the higher level, a two-dimensional token-passing mechanism is used to dynamically control the creation of multiaccess paths between sets of stations. At the lower level, stations obtain access to these subnetworks using conventional linear media access protocols. Since a multimesh achieves concurrent media access over a mesh topology, the total capacity of the network may be many times that of conventional linear media access networks using the same transmission resources and station complexity. An example of a multimesh design is given based upon ring topology linear media access subnetworks