Technology - Infrastructure-mesh Architecture

Background

RoamAD network components comprise multi-radio intelligent network nodes (INNs), gateways and the network controller/intelligent network server (INS).

The INS is generally located in the network operator's server room and interfaces with the network operator's billing platform and connects to the Internet, as well as to the GS (via fibre or Ethernet) which is located at an aggregation point in the network. The GS connects to the INNs that are located out in the network area (on rooftops or lamp-posts). The INNs, which contain four radios per node, fulfil both end user coverage and wireless backhaul functionality using different radios and spectrum for coverage and backhaul.

RoamAD's Infrastructure-Mesh Network Architecture

RoamAD's infrastructure-mesh network architecture forms an important part of the overall RoamAD solution. RoamAD's architecture ensures that there is robust, usable bandwidth at the network edge with predictable performance, far in excess of that of traditional mesh networking.

Infrastructure-mesh network architecture provides a combination of both traditional infrastructure and mesh architectures.

RoamAD uses multi-radio nodes which allow separate radios and separate spectrum to be used for backhaul and for coverage.

RoamAD's infrastructure-mesh architecture can be readily applied for use in metro/municipal networks (citywide Wi-Fi or 4.9GHz public safety networks), campus, enterprise, hotspot, highway and train network solutions. Traditional infrastructure architectures require network elements to be designed consistent with a predefined set of rules. Infrastructure architecture provides high and predictable performance, but is not as flexible as mesh architecture.

Mesh architecture follows no set rules. Mesh networks are sometimes referred to as 'self forming, self healing' networks. These networks are highly flexible in that they can be configured without the need for sophisticated design skills. They usually have poorer and less predictable performance than an infrastructure network, and they are less efficient in that network elements are not necessarily optimally located.

RoamAD has combined the best of both worlds to provide a robust cocoon of Wi-Fi coverage and connectivity over a metro area.

RoamAD networks are 'infrastructure-mesh' networks in that they have a traditional infrastructure network for the majority of internetworking communications (in particular for communications to and from the connection point to the Internet), and they employ a mesh architecture on the edge of the network for network nodes, which provide coverage for end users.

Flexibility

The flexibility inherent in RoamAD's solution allows the following backhaul options:

• point-to-point
• point-to-multipoint
• multipoint-to-multipoint
• mesh (RoamAD's infrastructure-mesh mode)

The use of multi-radio INNs allows separate radios and separate spectrum to be used for network backhaul and end user coverage. However, links can be set to allow either backhaul or end user access or to allow both.