User's Manual

MeshNetworks

Operational View of the System

Figure 2 shows the different ways in which a subscriber can reach an IAP. It can connect

directly, or hop through any number or combination of WRs and SDs. Additionally, if the

subscriber wishes to execute a peer-to-peer application such as a file transfer, the subscriber

can communicate directly, or through any combination of SDs, WRs, and IAPs.

The ability to use ad hoc routing to forward traffic improves the scalability of the mobile wireless

Internet. In particular, the ability for the user to accomplish a peer-to-peer application without

the use of infrastructure has tremendous advantages. A significant problem in every mobile

wireless network is backhaul. The

architecture provides the ability to route traffic from

applications through SDs and WRs without ever reaching an IAP or the wired Internet. This

reduces the amount of backhaul required by enabling the SDs to accomplish the backhaul

whenever the opportunity arises. This results in lower deployment costs, reduced backhaul,

and lower operating expenditures. The service provider can provide the same level of service

with less equipment by empowering the SDs with ad hoc networking capability.

WR 1 WR 2 WR k2

WR k1WR 1

. . .

SD 2

SD 1

. . .

SD 2

SD 1

SD 2

. . .

SD 2

SD 1

SD 3

. . .

SD 2SD 1 SD 4

. . .

MiSC

IAP

Handoff

Router Mesh

Mobile Internet Switching Controller

Intelligent Access Point

Wireless Router

Subscriber Device

MiSC

Global

Internet

IAP 1 IAP 2 IAP N

WR 2

Figure 2. Operational View of the

System