MeshDynamics Delivers Persistent WiFi
Network for Mobile Environments
MeshDynamics has enhanced its
industry-leading MD4000 third generation
WiFi wireless mesh nodes with new features
offering better performance and reliability
in mobile or mixed fixed/mobile
environments. The new software, called
Persistent 3rd-Generation
Mesh (P3M) is intended for dynamic military,
transportation, and public safety
applications, as well as in critical
applications such as mine safety.
In recent tests, the company demonstrated
persistent high-throughput and low-delay and
low-jitter networking as mobile wireless
mesh nodes connected automatically with
other mobile and fixed wireless mesh nodes.
As some elements of the network moved out of
WiFi range from other nodes, they
automatically formed into separate
independent networks, allowing communication
to continue. When brought back into range,
these network elements seamlessly
reconnected with the rest of the network.
All of this occurred without any operator
intervention or reconfiguration and the
process takes place in a fraction of a
second.
MeshDynamics MD4000 nodes are already
being used in tactical battlefield
environments to transmit video, voice, and
sensor data between moving armored vehicles.
The new P3M features now allow for smaller
groups that become separated from the main
formation or column to maintain the same
high performance among themselves while
isolated, and then automatically rejoin the
larger force when they again come into
range.
The P3M features have also been proven in
demanding underground mining environments,
where possible cave-ins and other disasters
may lead to a section of the network
becoming isolated from the main portion of
the network. With P3M technology, miners in
the isolated sections may still communicate
with one another, providing persistent
Voice-over-IP and location capabilities and
potentially speeding rescue.
Third-generation now fully mobile
Third-generation wireless mesh networking
has always delivered higher performance in
rooted environments than does traditional
wireless mesh technology. This is primarily
achieved through imposing a logical
Structured MeshTM
topology on the mesh network, with uplink
and downlink paths minimizing turnaround and
multiple radios optimizing performance.
Typically, the "uplink" and "downlink"
determinations have been made by the nodes
themselves at network start-up, based on the
location of the fixed fiber or copper
connection to the Internet or enterprise
backbone.
But the new P3M technology allows the
nodes to structure the network dynamically,
even if there is no fixed connection
anywhere in the network or if the fixed
connection is lost. Patent-pending
route-finding algorithms permit the nodes to
establish the optimal topology rapidly and
to reconfigure quickly as nodes move in
relation to one another and any fixed
points. This allows for persistent
high-performance networking, regardless of
the topology formed by the mobile nodes.
Francis daCosta, Founder and CTO of
MeshDynamics, contrasted the new technology
with earlier generations of mesh networking.
"In the past, one had to choose between very
dynamic any-to-any node connectivity and the
higher performance of third-generation mesh
technology, which is structured. P3M
technology creates structured mesh networks
that deliver high performance for real-time
requirements like video and voice, but these
networks can now form and re-form nearly
instantaneously in mobile environments. The
end result for the customer is all the
performance of a rooted network, but in a
completely mobile environment."
Most other third-generation mesh
competitors rely on sectored antennas or
other fixed means of establishing network
topology. Instead, MeshDynamics uses
distributed RF intelligence in each node to
locate other network nodes, create links,
select channels, and manage interference.
This allows the network to respond rapidly
to the changing conditions imposed by node
mobility while preserving the 50X+
performance advantage of third-generation
wireless mesh.
Persistent 3rd-generation
mesh (P3M) technology is available now and
included at no additional charge in
MeshDynamics' current software release.
Existing customers may contact the company
to inquire about upgrades.
