Plextek completes pragmatic evaluation of mobile mesh networks for Ofcom

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Press Release

Plextek completes pragmatic evaluation of mobile mesh networks for Ofcom

Issued 18/09/2006

Study concludes mesh networks should be integral to any future wireless communications vision

A Plextek-led consortium has completed a research study on behalf of the communications industries regulator Ofcom to investigate the technical reality of mobile mesh networks1 as part of Ofcom's Spectrum Efficiency Scheme. It is the first known joint evaluation of the real world constraints and idealised theory concerning the potential uses of mobile mesh networks. Plextek's findings dispel much of the 'mythology' made about mesh networks in recent academic literature and conclude that mobile mesh networks are not a panacea, but should be integral to any 4G or 'beyond 3G' wireless communications vision.

Steve Methley, Senior Consultant, Plextek comments: "Historically there has been a lot of folklore perpetuated in the academic press regarding mobile mesh networks. Ofcom looked to us as independent experts who could take a step back, assess the real situation and then drill down into the key issues. Plextek has a long history of working with Ofcom and we were able to bring our vast experience in the communications industry and in wireless system design to the project."

Plextek's brief was to identify the capacity constraints of mesh networks, the key problems in mobile mesh system delivery and how to resolve them, and what the timescales for widespread adoption of mesh might be. The study was focussed on mobile mesh networks at relatively low frequencies (below 3.5 GHz) and made assumptions of challenging future traffic patterns and the applicability of present transport methods to mesh systems.

The study found mobile mesh networks to be strong for extending network coverage when deployed with existing infrastructure, for WiFi hotspots or cellular multi-hopping, and for coverage extension in a city or urban areas, for example to transmit a signal around obstacles. Using a mesh network to extend coverage costs less than building new infrastructure and reduces the need for large cell sites and consequentially EM radiation. However, large mobile mesh networks will not be practical for real-time voice or video without additional infrastructure, because currently long, variable delays can occur as a result of the way in which a mesh network operates. The quality of service or network availability via a mesh network will not be as good as existing services, unless specific steps are taken to reduce the dependence of performance on user behaviour.

Following the success of the study, Ofcom has also commissioned Plextek for a further project as part of its 'Wireless Last Mile Investigation' which is looking into the use of wireless technology as an alternative for the provision of the last mile communications to the home. Plextek will be analysing the feasibility of mesh networks, amongst others, for this type of application. The report is expected to be published at the end of this year.

Notes

1. A mobile mesh network consists of a number of devices that automatically configure an efficient wireless network between them. Each device receives and transmits its own traffic, while acting as a router and relay for other devices, and is able to adjust if, for example, a node becomes overloaded or unavailable.