A Simple Scalable Wireless Mesh Architecture

We present a scalable mesh network architecture that maximizes throughput by minimizing interference arising between two or more radios in a mesh node. Radio interference is a basic issue that affects attainable throughput in mesh networks. The proposed architecture minimizes radio interference and hence as a result maximizes the throughput. In addition, the architecture is: efficient, simple, scalable, cost effective, easy to deploy, low in maintenance and uses simple routing. We chose to build the mesh network and test it´s performance when deployed rather than resort to simulation. Experiments had to be conducted meticulously primarily because working with the 802.11 medium using two closely placed radios that use multiple channels can be extremely challenging at times. Results show that bandwidth reduction with respect to the number of hops is at the rate of 1/n in comparison to more popularly reported result of 1/2ⁿ