June 2006
Mesh Networks
Delivering IP-Based Seamless Mobility
in Municipal and Ad Hoc Wireless Networks
w h i t e
pa p e r
contents
3Executive Summary
4A Revolution in Anywhere/Anytime Wireless Connectivity
6Transforming the Wireless Architecture
7 Benefits of Mesh Networking
8 Motorola’s Mesh Enabled Architecture
9Technologies and Features of Motorola Mesh Products
10Technologies and Features of Motorola Mesh Products
11Redefining the Future of Wireless
12 Learn More About Mesh Networks
12About the Authors
mesh networks
Executive Summary
The Motorola vision of seamless mobility goes far beyond the cell phone.
Motorola is playing a leading role in a new paradigm for wireless networking:
the mesh network.
Mesh networks technology is helping to enable the 4th generation of wireless
mobility by using basic radio frequency (RF) physics in a new way – overcoming
inherent limitations to achieve unprecedented coverage, throughput, flexibility,
and cost-efficiency. Mesh networking offers a new model of seamless
mobility that’s already transforming wireless data and voice communications
for citizens, on the battlefield, in police work, at the scene of fires, and in
other settings where instant, wireless information access can provide both
economic, quality of life, and safety benefits.
From these military and first-responder applications, mesh networks are
being quickly adopted in municipal wireless broadband networks, as well
as in several vertical markets such as mining, manufacturing, transportation,
and other enterprise settings. Mesh networks provide the required ease
of deployment and high throughput in even the most difficult environments.
Increasingly, you’ll see mesh networking technology transforming commercial
settings, public places, and even home networks. Mesh networks are
revolutionizing wireless mobility, and Motorola is committed to leading the way.
This white paper provides an overview of mesh networking – its history,
architecture, enabling technologies, current and emerging application
models – along with a brief overview of the Motorola family of mesh
networking products and solutions.
mesh networks
Mesh networks are becoming a major driver of 4th generation
wireless mobility.
Mesh Networking: A Revolution in
Anywhere/Anytime Wireless Connectivity
Mesh networks were originally developed to give soldiers reliable broadband
communications anywhere in the battlefield, and the benefits of the current technology
flow directly from the military’s unique needs. Mesh technology provides troops with
instant broadband communications across the battlefield without the need to predeploy
large towers or antennas. Every soldier’s radio powers the network – creating an
interconnected web of radios that automatically extends network coverage and robustness
as new users join the mesh. The system also increases tactical situational awareness
with support for real-time data and video connectivity.
Since police and other first responders have many of the same needs it is not surprising
that many of the first non-military mesh networks were deployed to support public
safety applications. Forward-thinking city governments quickly expanded the use of mesh
networks to other agencies such as public works, code enforcement, and other mobile
city workers. Mesh networks are also enabling citywide wireless Internet clouds that
provide “always on” broadband access for residential and business users.
Under Motorola’s leadership, robust, flexible, standards-based mesh networks are
becoming a major driver of 4th generation wireless mobility.
What is mesh networking?
In a mesh network, each node acts as a router/repeater for other nodes in the network.
These nodes can be fixed pieces of network infrastructure and/or can be the mobile
devices themselves. Motorola’s mesh technology supports both modes simultaneously.
B
B
A
A
C
Internet &
Corporate LAN
Internet &
Corporate LAN
Traditional Network: B & C are out of range
C
Mesh Network: B & C can “hop” back to A
This result is a decentralized and inexpensive mobile broadband network, since each
node need only transmit as far as the next node, rather than to the ultimate destination
This technique, which Motorola calls Multi-Hopping®, allows the network to span large
distances, provide high data rates, and create non-line-of-sight connections over rough
terrain. Mesh networks are also extremely reliable, as each node is connected to several
other nodes. If one node drops out of the network, due to hardware failure or any other
reason, its neighbors instantly find another route. Extra capacity can be installed by simply
adding more access points.
mesh networks
Similar to the way packets travel around the Internet, dynamic routing capabilities in each
wireless device allow data to hop from device to device until it reaches the destination.
This requires each device to have sophisticated hardware and software that can communicate routing information in real time. Each device then determines what to do with
the data it receives – either pass it on to the next device or keep it. Our Mesh Scalable
RoutingTM always ensures that the data takes the optimum route to its destination in terms
of bit error rate, latency, hop count, packet completion, and so on.
It is important to understand that mesh networking is not a new type of radio or
modulation. Instead, it’s a new architecture for networking that incorporates existing
and new radio technologies – defining the overall structure, components, and interrelationships of devices in the network. This means that mesh-networking technology
can be applied to practically any radio scheme, effectively allowing the best radio to fit
the desired application.
By overcoming traditional wireless network limitations, mesh networking opens the door
to remarkable new wireless capabilities:
• Instant, automatic formation and evolution of wireless networks. The centerpiece
of mesh network technology is the ability for nodes to automatically join and leave
the network anytime. Networks can be instantly established virtually anywhere, even
in places with no fixed infrastructure. In fact, vehicles moving at over 200 mph can
automatically join a mesh network, enabling completely new models for mobility.
• Self-forming, self-healing, and self balancing. Mesh networks are inherently more
robust than traditional wireless networks. Automatic configuration and routing enables
networks to be self-forming and self-healing. The network continues to function even
if one or more nodes fail.
• Increased coverage and performance. High data throughput requires a high
signal-to-noise ratio. However, signals weaken exponentially as the distance from
the transmitter increases – meaning relatively more noise and correspondingly lower
performance. But in a mesh network, full signal strength is restored with each “hop”
in the network. As a result, networks can grow to virtually any size while retaining
excellent performance.
• Non-GPS location and asset tracking. GPS can be subject to several types of errors,
and it doesn’t work at all in mines, inside large structures or in other locations that block
the signals from GPS satellites. Motorola’s mesh network technology uses sophisticated
triangulation and time-of-flight algorithms to determine the location of nodes in the
network. That can mean the ability to find a firefighter in a burning building where GPS
can’t reach.
• Lower infrastructure and operational costs. Most mesh networks require less backhaul
than a traditional wireless network – sometimes as much as 90 percent less – which can
greatly reduce deployment and operating expenses. Because mesh networks self-form
and self-heal, administration, maintenance, and support costs are reduced as well. And
the skill sets required for network administration are typically lower than for cellular and
other centralized wireless networks.
mesh networks
Mesh technology can make any radio system perform better
by minimizing the tradeoff between transmit range data rate.
Transforming the Wireless Architecture
In previous generations of wireless, RF physics have placed strict limits on network
capabilities. For a specified transmit power, the signal strength drops exponentially
as the distance from the transmitter increases, causing the data rate to decrease.
Once a radio reaches the maximum allowed power level, it must start dropping data
rates to increase transmit distance. Moreover, data streams can be disrupted as users
cross roaming boundaries, and connections can even be dropped when physical barriers
get in the way.
Transmit power is typically limited by regulation or the available battery power on end-user
devices. This is why cellular (centralized) networks offer high data rates close to the cell
or access point, but much lower rates as you move even a short distance away. The same
physics explain why downlink data rates (from the high power cell to the mobile user) are
much higher than uplink rates (from the low power mobile user to the cell).
In contrast, mesh technology can make any radio system perform better by minimizing
the tradeoff between transmit range data rate. The technique of hopping data through
a series of intermediate nodes enables both long end-to-end range and high data rates,
since the distance between each node is relatively short compared to the distance
between the end transmitter and receiver. This creates an end-to-end connection
that supports high downlink and uplink data rates over very long distances by making
radio physics work for you, not against you. This phenomenon can be used to enhance
personal area (Bluetooth, UWB), local-area (Wi-Fi), and wide-area (WiMax, Cellular)
radio technologies.
1X
16X
1X
1X
1X
The power needed to maintain a given signal strength increases exponentially with distance from the transmitter.
Multi-hopping continually regenerates signals to minimize power while maximizing signal strength.
The diagram shows that one unit of power is required to achieve a given data rate over
one unit of distance. But to maintain the same data rate over 3x the distance, a traditional
wireless network requires not 3x but rather 16x the power. Meshing changes this equation
by breaking up long distances into several short hops – in our example, sending data at
the same rate over the same distance with only a total of 3x the power rather than 16x.
Also worth noting is the fact that each node in the mesh is only required to transmit at
1x power, regardless of the total end-to-end distance of the transmission. This maximizes
battery life and enables the use of low-cost, off the shelf radio components. All of these
advantages combine to make space virtually irrelevant – there’s no limit to the coverage
area of a mesh network built with commodity devices.
mesh networks
Benefits of Mesh Networking
Why mesh? Simply put, mesh networking is a better way to use any radio system
to provide wireless connectivity for data, video, and VoIP. Multi-hopping enables mesh
networks to be self-forming, self-healing, and extraordinarily flexible and resilient.
As a result, mesh networks can provide many new capabilities and usage models
that simply aren’t possible with any other wireless architecture. For example:
Meshing efficiently mitigates line-of-sight obstacles and RF interference issues.
Multi-hopping enables voice, video, and data to be instantly routed around obstacles
and interference. As a result, mesh technology allows reliable, high-speed wireless
networking in locations where it was never possible before: in crowded urban
environments, massive buildings, subway tunnels – virtually anywhere.
Networks can be established and reconfigured automatically, instantaneously.
Because nodes can automatically communicate to form networks with no manual
configuration, mesh technology is the perfect ad hoc solution for police work, firefighting,
traffic management, field research, or any other task that requires instant information
access in any situation.
Mesh networks offer flexible deployment options.
They can be built on permanent infrastructure or deployed quickly in an ad hoc, peer-to-peer
architecture. Motorola even offers mesh technology that can be used in any combination
of fixed and mobile nodes to meet virtually any need.
Throughput can be optimized automatically, even over long distances
and large networks.
Relatively short radio links and dynamic load balancing mean that throughput can be
optimized without regard to the radius of the network or the number of nodes. In fact,
unlike most networks, performance tends to increase as additional nodes join. And the
same high bandwidth is available for both data uplinks and downlinks.
Sessions can be established and maintained even at high vehicle speeds.
Motorola’s mesh architecture features “make-before-break” connections, supporting
high-speed soft handoffs. This means that real-time applications such as voice and video
can be delivered to trains, automobiles, and other moving vehicles – without the signal
degradation and dropped sessions associated with roaming.
Mesh networks complement Wi-Fi and WiMAX.
Since mesh networking technology can be applied to practically any radio scheme,
both widely deployed and up-and-coming technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and UWB
can be meshed. This allows the best radio to be used for any given application. Wi-Fi
is already being used in many existing metropolitan mesh network deployments, and will
be an essential technology in the meshed digital home and enterprise markets. As WiMAX
matures and becomes more widely available, it presents great opportunities for use in both
wide-area mesh networks and for meshed backhaul.
mesh networks
Motorola’s Mesh Enabled Architecture:
Delivering Flexibility and Performance on Demand
Motorola has developed a complete architecture and product suite that enables true
mobile broadband even in mission-critical, high-speed, and ad hoc applications. Motorola’s
Mesh Enabled Architecture (MEA®)solutions build on patented techniques – proven in
the battlefield – that enable cost-effective, high-performance, highly scalable broadband
networks for any application.
Internet &
PTSN
Wired Connection
Peer-to-Peer Connection
Network Connection
Access Points
Wireless Routers
Client Devices
Mesh networking is typically implemented in two basic modes: infrastructure
and/or client meshing:
• Infrastructure meshing, which is typically used to create wide or metro area networks,
creates wireless backhaul among wired access points and wireless routers. This reduces
system backhaul costs while increasing network coverage and reliability.
• Client meshing enables wireless networks to form among end-user devices and does
not require any network infrastructure to be present. In this case, data can hop between
clients to reach its destination.
Only Motorola’s mesh-enabled products support both infrastructure and client meshing,
so that intelligent access points (IAPs) can be used to connect the wireless mesh. The
result is a robust, interconnected network that automatically routes around congestion,
failures, and line-of-sight obstacles. The fact that mesh architectures are highly survivable
is one of the main reasons the wired Internet was built using a mesh network topology.
Users of Motorola’s mesh networking technology simply turn on their devices to instantly
create a new network or join an existing network. Routes and links are automatically
formed between users, as well as to network infrastructure when available – no user
configuration required. This unique capability of mesh technology enables instant
communications networks to form virtually anywhere.
mesh networks
Technologies and Features of Motorola Mesh Products
MESH-ENABLED SOLUTIONS
FROM MOTOROLA
• Mesh Enabled Architecture
(MEA®) 2.4 GHz Single Radio
Solutions leverage Motorola’s
high-performance QDMA radio
technology to offer patented
and proven mobile broadband
networking. These highly
scalable solutions provide
burst data rates up to 6 Mbps
for streaming audio and video,
fast and accurate position
location, and voice services.
• MOTOMESH™ Multi-Radio
Broadband Solution is the first
multi-radio broadband network
solution that combines licensed
4.9 GHz and unlicensed 2.4 GHz
radios in a single access point.
It also offers both QDMA and
802.11 radios in each band. This
enables MOTOMESH to secure
access to first responders, public
works, and other city agencies,
while providing public Wi-Fi
access that doesn’t interfere with
mission-critical communications.
• MeshTrack™ Broadband
Indoor/Outdoor Location System
leverages MEA technology to
provide fast and accurate user
locations – typically within 7 to
10 meters – in under a second.
Real-time location is determined
via time-of-flight and triangulation
measurements from reference
routers deployed at the site, and
can be reported to a centralized
console as well as to locationaware software applications.
Quadrature Division Multiple Access Radio (QDMA™). This innovative radio technology
offers architectural advantages that set Motorola mesh networks apart from any other
mesh architecture. Designed and optimized for high-performance mobile broadband
applications, QDMA enables seamless connectivity to vehicles moving at over 200 mph,
while supporting user prioritization and QoS management. It also provides the position
and location technology inherent in MEA networks. And it’s highly resistant to both
self-interference and external jamming.
Mesh Scalable Routing (MSR™). This complete mobile ad hoc networking solution uses
an optimized, hybrid ad hoc routing algorithm that combines both proactive and reactive
routing techniques. MSR maintains routes to critical nodes and devices, building and
maintaining routes to other nodes on an “on demand” basis. This dramatically reduces
overhead and latency, while automatically adapting to varying network and RF conditions
on a packet-by-packet basis.
Adaptive Transmission Protocol (ATP™). Based on the capabilities available on each
specific radio platform, MAC, and Phy implementation, this protocol service intelligently
controls routing and radio parameters. In tandem with MSR, it works to maximize
throughput while minimizing hops, power output, latency, interference, and other
parameters that affect total system performance.
Mesh Positioning System (MPS™). MPS technology provides fast and accurate user
location and tracking, using sophisticated time-of-flight and triangulation information
collected from multiple devices in the network. It works in buildings, under bridges,
and in tunnels – without the line-of-sight limitations of GPS satellites. MPS is ideal for
search and rescue, asset management, automatic vehicle location, and other applications
that require instant location of people and assets in even the most difficult environments.
End-to-end IP support. Because Motorola’s mesh technology is designed for complete
IP support, it facilitates interoperability with existing Internet-ready applications, networks,
and hardware. You can easily develop and enhance standards-based applications for mesh
networks, integrate mesh technology with existing systems, and manage the entire mesh
environment via SNMP. IP support also makes it easy to integrate IP video cameras,
monitors, sensors, VoIP gateways, and other IP-ready devices.
Security. Motorola has implemented and continues to develop many security policies
and safeguards for MEA-based solutions. Authentication, authorization, and management
of every element, including the client transceiver, minimize the possibility and impact
of a network attack by a rogue device. Support for standards-based software encryption
and VPN security ensures that data is protected from prying eyes. And the QDMA radio
protocol does not support the promiscuous mode that can make Wi-Fi networks vulnerable
to cracking.
mesh networks
Multiple radio and frequency support over the same infrastructure. By supporting up
to four radios per access point and wireless router, Motorola creates a more versatile
network that can provide separate, secure access to different groups of users. Secondary
radios within the same mesh network can also be used to provide wireless backhaul
capabilities, creating a more robust network while lowering the cost of wired backhaul.
Industry standards. Motorola is working with standards bodies to create a strong
foundation for wireless communications between multivendor systems. For example,
Motorola has been a major contributor to the 802.11f standard, which enforces a unique
association and secure exchange during the handoff of wireless signals from one node
or access point to another.
MEA uses a layered security architecture that protects both peer-to-peer and network-based traffic.
Firewall
MWR6300
Wireless Router
Firewall
Corporate LAN/WAN
P2P Authentication
Internet
IAP5300
Intelligent
Access Point
MiSC
Mobile Internet
Switching Controller
Radius Server
Data Protection
Transceiver Mac Address Filtering
Subscriber Authentication
Management: SNMPv3 FCAPS
VPN End-to-End Encryption
10
mesh networks
Mesh Networking Is Redefining the Future of Wireless
MOTOROLA MESH
NETWORKS ARE
IMPROVING LIVES TODAY
•Medford, Oregon has deployed
a 24 square-mile municipal
network to provide high-speed
data communications to 100
city workers, including law
enforcement, fire and rescue,
public works, and building
inspection agencies. City officials
expect the system to quickly
pay for itself by enabling gains
in personnel productivity.
• Providence, Rhode Island has
purchased a state-of-the-art
Motorola mesh networking
communications system for
its public safety departments.
The network will enable every
first responder unit in the city
to access large amounts of data
at a moment’s notice. With this
technology, police reports, suspect
profiles, building blueprints, and
medical records can be instantly
available as a crisis unfolds.
• Ripon, California has selected
Motorola’s mesh networking
solution for its citywide mobile
broadband system. The mobile
mesh system will be used to
enhance public safety by enabling
high-speed access to criminal
justice databases, Amber alerts,
the county’s mug shot and
fingerprint system, and other law
enforcement information. The
system will also deliver live video
and data to help police officers
manage situations in the field.
Mesh networking represents the ultimate evolution of the Internet, taking it into the realm
of wireless mobility. That’s why you’ll see mesh networks increasingly serving a variety
of exciting new usage models that affect almost every aspect of life.
Municipal broadband networks. Today, cities are improving the efficiency and quality of
community services by deploying mesh networks for public works and safety applications.
Instead of returning to the office to gather schematics or to file paper work before moving
on to the next job, field personnel can access databases and high-bandwidth materials
on site. Thanks to the ability of Motorola mesh networks to separate and secure different
types of data traffic, these same networks can be enhanced to provide citizens with
low-cost broadband connectivity as well – with advantages that conventional Wi-Fi can’t
provide, such as truly mobile access and scalability to cover a municipality of any size.
Intelligent transportation systems. Departments of transportation rely on intelligent
transportation systems that typically require a run of fiber-optic cable to monitoring
cameras and other devices – an expensive and inflexible approach that itself leads
to traffic disruptions and rights-of-way issues. Moreover, portable and mobile devices may
not be able to attach to the network at all. Mesh networks provide flexible, cost-effective,
non-disruptive wide-area connectivity even for devices moving at freeway speeds.
Telematics. Tomorrow’s mesh-enabled telematics applications will warn drivers of nearby
emergency situations, congestion, or adverse road conditions ahead. This information can
be displayed by onboard navigation systems and roadside messaging boards in real time,
recommending alternate routes based on the car’s exact location. The same network can
also deliver entertainment, VoIP, and mobile Internet access at freeway speeds.
Mobile Wi-Fi and public transit. Mesh technology can put Wi-Fi access points “in motion”
for public transit agencies and commercial network access providers. Instead of limiting
802.11 access to stations and stops, mesh technology can extend access into buses and
trains themselves – transforming hot spots into “hot routes.” The same networks can also
carry security video images, driver communications, and other information that helps the
transportation system run smoother and safer.
Digital home. As home users build increasingly sophisticated wireless networks to enjoy
more kinds of content, at higher resolutions and on more devices throughout their homes,
the tradeoff between bandwidth and range/coverage becomes a critical issue. At the same
time, consumers don’t want to deal with site surveys and configuration issues – they just
want to turn on devices and have them work together automatically. Mesh networks offer
an easy way to achieve whole-house multimedia distribution, security monitoring, Internet
connectivity, VoIP communications, and more.
Sensor networks. Low power, energy efficient radios and processors have made sensor
networks an important tool in many industrial and research fields. Today’s sensor networks
are typically used to detect a change in physical condition, such as temperature; a chemical
condition, such as concentration; and for industrial control. Future applications will include
high data-rate applications such as imaging and video, and even mobile sensor networks.
Enterprise. Mesh networks are empowering enterprise field workers with access
to databases, photographs, product manuals, dispatch information and other
high-bandwidth information. Additionally, mesh networks technology provides users
with the ability to set up ad hoc applications – such as temporary security camera
networks – without the need for pre-deployed infrastructure.
11
mesh networks
Learn More about Mesh Networks
Mesh networking is a revolutionary technology that is transforming the way wireless networks
are created and used in a wide range of applications – from industry, government, transportation,
and public safety to mobile Wi-Fi, the digital home, and beyond.
Motorola is a leader in mesh technology and standards. Look to Motorola for the mesh networking
innovations that will transform the way people work, travel, learn, and communicate in a new world
of seamless mobility.
Learn more about how mesh networking is transforming the wireless landscape, enabling a new era
of seamless mobility. For more information, visit: www.motorola.com/mesh.
About the Authors
Rick Rotondo, director of marketing for Motorola’s Mesh Networks Product Group, works with innovative
wireless technologies that change the way people, companies and cities communicate. With over 10 years
experience in telecom and data communications, Rick has been responsible for marketing and strategic
business development for various high tech organizations, most recently as VP of Technical Marketing
for MeshNetworks, which was acquired by Motorola in December, 2004. Prior to joining MeshNetworks,
Rick held senior marketing positions for Lucent Technologies, Excel Switching Corporation, and Nortel.
He is a frequent speaker at industry events and contributes regularly to industry publications on a variety
of mobile broadband and wireless networking topics.
Peter Stanforth, vice President and director of technology for the Mesh Networking Products Group
of Motorola, has over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. He has developed digital
switching systems for wire-line and wireless telephone systems, as well as, data networking components for
packet networks. Specializing in software control and signaling he was an early pioneer in the development of
open programmable systems known today as Soft-Switches. He has been widely published and is a frequent
conference speaker on leveraging computer and software technologies in the telecommunications industry
in general and the mobile wireless community specifically. He also the holds several patents on ad hoc
networking. Prior to Motorola, Peter was co-founder and CTO of MeshNetworks Inc. a start up company
commercializing self-forming, self-healing technologies for fixed and mobile wireless access networks.
Motorola, Inc.
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Schaumburg, Illinois 60196 U.S.S.
www.motorola.com
media contact: Wendy White
email: wendy.white@motorola.com
MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their
registered owners. © Motorola, Inc. 2006