A multi-layer approach towards high-performance wireless mesh networks
Abstract
Wireless mesh networks are characterized by static mesh routers connected by wireless links to each other providing Internet connectivity via multi-hop access to sparsely deployed gateways. Such networks have important applications ranging from providing Internet access to rural, suburban and under-privileged communities to enterprise wireless offices. However, there are serious challenges in provisioning broadband connectivity using such networks due to the limited throughput caused by interference between mesh routers and coping with the dynamics of the wireless channel. In this thesis I first deploy a large operational wireless mesh network at Purdue University to understand the behavior of such networks as well as performance problems with currently available state-of-the-art protocols and hardware. This thesis then proposes novel link and network layer protocols that can harness new hardware and technologies such as multiple radios, network coding, directional antennas and cheap storage to significantly improve the performance of wireless mesh networks. Finally, to enable actual deployment of these enhanced high-performance wireless meshes, the thesis proposes a novel method for provisioning service plans for users of such networks. All the research proposals have been implemented and evaluated on the testbed and advance the state-of-the-art in wireless mesh networking thus reducing barriers to their widespread adoption.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Hu, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Electrical engineering|Computer science
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