Mesh Radio

[Prasanth]

A Mesh is a very general form of network, not unlike the Internet. A wireless mesh is a mesh network like any other, but the links between nodes are implemented with a radio of some form. In a radio mesh network, each wireless device is capable of acting as a router as well as an end station; it not only transmits and receives data for itself but passes on data for others as well. As long as you are in range of another device you have coverage.

The more devices the better the coverage. Mesh networks may involve either fixed or mobile devices. The principle is similar to the way packets go around the Internet, data will hop from one device to another until it reaches its destination. Dynamic routing capabilities included in each device allow this to happen. To implement such dynamic routing capabilities, each device needs to communicate its routing information to every device it connects with, "almost in real time". Each device determines what to do with the data it receives. Either pass on to the next device or keep it. The algorithm used should ensure that the data takes the "most appropriate route".

Most importantly, the number of possible links between a given node and any other is potentially much greater than in a wired network, since the actual configuration of a particular wireless mesh need not be determined until it is actually moving data. Paths through the network can change from moment to moment in response to varying traffic loads, radio conditions, or traffic prioritization. Wireless meshes are thus among the most flexible network structures ever created, and these are amazingly adaptable and applicable to many different missions, applications, and markets.