Research on PHY layer supporting MESH model in IEEE 802.16

IEEE802.16 standard provides interface protocol of wireless access system for physical (PHY) layer and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. It supports two kinds of network topology: Point to Multi-point (PMP) and Mesh. This paper analyzes how PHY layer of 802.16 standard supports the MESH mode from the aspects of modulation mechanism, channel coding, frame structure and control mechanism. On the basis of comparing PMP model and MESH mode in PHY-layer structure, function and requirements, it comes to the conclusion: although there are limitations in flexibility of modulation and coding in Mesh mode, the speed of nodes access network in mesh mode is faster than in PMP mode.