Emerging standards for wireless mesh technology

Abstract

Wireless mesh networking is a promising technology for numerous applications which appeals especially to those applications that cannot be directly supported by other wireless technologies. The commercial success of Wi-Fi and the advances in many wireless technologies have in part stimulated the development of wireless mesh networks. The persistent driving force, however, comes from the envisioned advantages of wireless mesh techniques themselves, including extended coverage, robustness, self-configuration, easy maintenance, and low cost. This article presents an overview of this emerging technology, focusing on the technical merits and related standards activities of IEEE and ZigBee that are actively applying the concept of multi-hop mesh techniques in the field of wireless networking technologies, ranging from personal area networks (PANs) to metropolitan area networks (MANs).