Performance evaluation of a wireless mesh network based on hybrid WiMAX mesh nodes

This paper proposes a solution for a wireless mesh network based on WiMAX mesh nodes equipped with Smart Antennas. A WiMAX mesh node is emulated by interconnecting via Ethernet link a Base Station and a Subscriber Station. To avoid interference between these two nodes, they are configured to operate on different frequency bands. This solution can be used to build wireless backhaul networks for rural areas or for public safety scenarios. To validate it, an experimental platform consisting of both a real and a simulated part was developed. The simulated part is implemented in OPNET, and is injected with real time traffic from the real part of the experimental platform, using the System in the Loop function.