June Mesh Networks. Delivering IP-Based Seamless Mobility in Municipal and Ad Hoc Wireless Networks. w h i t e p a p e r

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1 June 2006 Mesh Networks Delivering IP-Based Seamless Mobility in Municipal and Ad Hoc Wireless Networks w h i t e p a p e r

2 contents 3 Executive Summary 4 A Revolution in Anywhere/Anytime Wireless Connectivity 6 Transforming the Wireless Architecture 7 Benefits of Mesh Networking 8 Motorola s Mesh Enabled Architecture 9 Technologies and Features of Motorola Mesh Products 10 Technologies and Features of Motorola Mesh Products 11 Redefining the Future of Wireless 12 Learn More About Mesh Networks 12 About the Authors 2 mesh networks

3 Executive Summary The Motorola vision of seamless mobility goes far beyond the cell phone. Motorola is playing a leading role in a new paradigm for wireless networking: the mesh network. Mesh networks technology is helping to enable the 4th generation of wireless mobility by using basic radio frequency (RF) physics in a new way overcoming inherent limitations to achieve unprecedented coverage, throughput, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Mesh networking offers a new model of seamless mobility that s already transforming wireless data and voice communications for citizens, on the battlefield, in police work, at the scene of fires, and in other settings where instant, wireless information access can provide both economic, quality of life, and safety benefits. From these military and first-responder applications, mesh networks are being quickly adopted in municipal wireless broadband networks, as well as in several vertical markets such as mining, manufacturing, transportation, and other enterprise settings. Mesh networks provide the required ease of deployment and high throughput in even the most difficult environments. Increasingly, you ll see mesh networking technology transforming commercial settings, public places, and even home networks. Mesh networks are revolutionizing wireless mobility, and Motorola is committed to leading the way. This white paper provides an overview of mesh networking its history, architecture, enabling technologies, current and emerging application models along with a brief overview of the Motorola family of mesh networking products and solutions. mesh networks

4 Mesh networks are becoming a major driver of 4th generation wireless mobility. Mesh Networking: A Revolution in Anywhere/Anytime Wireless Connectivity Mesh networks were originally developed to give soldiers reliable broadband communications anywhere in the battlefield, and the benefits of the current technology flow directly from the military s unique needs. Mesh technology provides troops with instant broadband communications across the battlefield without the need to predeploy large towers or antennas. Every soldier s radio powers the network creating an interconnected web of radios that automatically extends network coverage and robustness as new users join the mesh. The system also increases tactical situational awareness with support for real-time data and video connectivity. Since police and other first responders have many of the same needs it is not surprising that many of the first non-military mesh networks were deployed to support public safety applications. Forward-thinking city governments quickly expanded the use of mesh networks to other agencies such as public works, code enforcement, and other mobile city workers. Mesh networks are also enabling citywide wireless Internet clouds that provide always on broadband access for residential and business users. Under Motorola s leadership, robust, flexible, standards-based mesh networks are becoming a major driver of 4th generation wireless mobility. What is mesh networking? In a mesh network, each node acts as a router/repeater for other nodes in the network. These nodes can be fixed pieces of network infrastructure and/or can be the mobile devices themselves. Motorola s mesh technology supports both modes simultaneously. B B A A C Internet & Corporate LAN Internet & Corporate LAN C Traditional Network: B & C are out of range Mesh Network: B & C can hop back to A This result is a decentralized and inexpensive mobile broadband network, since each node need only transmit as far as the next node, rather than to the ultimate destination This technique, which Motorola calls Multi-Hopping, allows the network to span large distances, provide high data rates, and create non-line-of-sight connections over rough terrain. Mesh networks are also extremely reliable, as each node is connected to several other nodes. If one node drops out of the network, due to hardware failure or any other reason, its neighbors instantly find another route. Extra capacity can be installed by simply adding more access points. 4 mesh networks

5 Similar to the way packets travel around the Internet, dynamic routing capabilities in each wireless device allow data to hop from device to device until it reaches the destination. This requires each device to have sophisticated hardware and software that can communicate routing information in real time. Each device then determines what to do with the data it receives either pass it on to the next device or keep it. Our Mesh Scalable Routing TM always ensures that the data takes the optimum route to its destination in terms of bit error rate, latency, hop count, packet completion, and so on. It is important to understand that mesh networking is not a new type of radio or modulation. Instead, it s a new architecture for networking that incorporates existing and new radio technologies defining the overall structure, components, and interrelationships of devices in the network. This means that mesh-networking technology can be applied to practically any radio scheme, effectively allowing the best radio to fit the desired application. By overcoming traditional wireless network limitations, mesh networking opens the door to remarkable new wireless capabilities: Instant, automatic formation and evolution of wireless networks. The centerpiece of mesh network technology is the ability for nodes to automatically join and leave the network anytime. Networks can be instantly established virtually anywhere, even in places with no fixed infrastructure. In fact, vehicles moving at over 200 mph can automatically join a mesh network, enabling completely new models for mobility. Self-forming, self-healing, and self balancing. Mesh networks are inherently more robust than traditional wireless networks. Automatic configuration and routing enables networks to be self-forming and self-healing. The network continues to function even if one or more nodes fail. Increased coverage and performance. High data throughput requires a high signal-to-noise ratio. However, signals weaken exponentially as the distance from the transmitter increases meaning relatively more noise and correspondingly lower performance. But in a mesh network, full signal strength is restored with each hop in the network. As a result, networks can grow to virtually any size while retaining excellent performance. Non-GPS location and asset tracking. GPS can be subject to several types of errors, and it doesn t work at all in mines, inside large structures or in other locations that block the signals from GPS satellites. Motorola s mesh network technology uses sophisticated triangulation and time-of-flight algorithms to determine the location of nodes in the network. That can mean the ability to find a firefighter in a burning building where GPS can t reach. Lower infrastructure and operational costs. Most mesh networks require less backhaul than a traditional wireless network sometimes as much as 90 percent less which can greatly reduce deployment and operating expenses. Because mesh networks self-form and self-heal, administration, maintenance, and support costs are reduced as well. And the skill sets required for network administration are typically lower than for cellular and other centralized wireless networks. mesh networks

6 Mesh technology can make any radio system perform better by minimizing the tradeoff between transmit range data rate. Transforming the Wireless Architecture In previous generations of wireless, RF physics have placed strict limits on network capabilities. For a specified transmit power, the signal strength drops exponentially as the distance from the transmitter increases, causing the data rate to decrease. Once a radio reaches the maximum allowed power level, it must start dropping data rates to increase transmit distance. Moreover, data streams can be disrupted as users cross roaming boundaries, and connections can even be dropped when physical barriers get in the way. Transmit power is typically limited by regulation or the available battery power on end-user devices. This is why cellular (centralized) networks offer high data rates close to the cell or access point, but much lower rates as you move even a short distance away. The same physics explain why downlink data rates (from the high power cell to the mobile user) are much higher than uplink rates (from the low power mobile user to the cell). In contrast, mesh technology can make any radio system perform better by minimizing the tradeoff between transmit range data rate. The technique of hopping data through a series of intermediate nodes enables both long end-to-end range and high data rates, since the distance between each node is relatively short compared to the distance between the end transmitter and receiver. This creates an end-to-end connection that supports high downlink and uplink data rates over very long distances by making radio physics work for you, not against you. This phenomenon can be used to enhance personal area (Bluetooth, UWB), local-area (Wi-Fi), and wide-area (WiMax, Cellular) radio technologies. 1X 16X 1X 1X 1X The power needed to maintain a given signal strength increases exponentially with distance from the transmitter. Multi-hopping continually regenerates signals to minimize power while maximizing signal strength. The diagram shows that one unit of power is required to achieve a given data rate over one unit of distance. But to maintain the same data rate over 3x the distance, a traditional wireless network requires not 3x but rather 16x the power. Meshing changes this equation by breaking up long distances into several short hops in our example, sending data at the same rate over the same distance with only a total of 3x the power rather than 16x. Also worth noting is the fact that each node in the mesh is only required to transmit at 1x power, regardless of the total end-to-end distance of the transmission. This maximizes battery life and enables the use of low-cost, off the shelf radio components. All of these advantages combine to make space virtually irrelevant there s no limit to the coverage area of a mesh network built with commodity devices. 6 mesh networks

7 Benefits of Mesh Networking Why mesh? Simply put, mesh networking is a better way to use any radio system to provide wireless connectivity for data, video, and VoIP. Multi-hopping enables mesh networks to be self-forming, self-healing, and extraordinarily flexible and resilient. As a result, mesh networks can provide many new capabilities and usage models that simply aren t possible with any other wireless architecture. For example: Meshing efficiently mitigates line-of-sight obstacles and RF interference issues. Multi-hopping enables voice, video, and data to be instantly routed around obstacles and interference. As a result, mesh technology allows reliable, high-speed wireless networking in locations where it was never possible before: in crowded urban environments, massive buildings, subway tunnels virtually anywhere. Networks can be established and reconfigured automatically, instantaneously. Because nodes can automatically communicate to form networks with no manual configuration, mesh technology is the perfect ad hoc solution for police work, firefighting, traffic management, field research, or any other task that requires instant information access in any situation. Mesh networks offer flexible deployment options. They can be built on permanent infrastructure or deployed quickly in an ad hoc, peer-to-peer architecture. Motorola even offers mesh technology that can be used in any combination of fixed and mobile nodes to meet virtually any need. Throughput can be optimized automatically, even over long distances and large networks. Relatively short radio links and dynamic load balancing mean that throughput can be optimized without regard to the radius of the network or the number of nodes. In fact, unlike most networks, performance tends to increase as additional nodes join. And the same high bandwidth is available for both data uplinks and downlinks. Sessions can be established and maintained even at high vehicle speeds. Motorola s mesh architecture features make-before-break connections, supporting high-speed soft handoffs. This means that real-time applications such as voice and video can be delivered to trains, automobiles, and other moving vehicles without the signal degradation and dropped sessions associated with roaming. Mesh networks complement Wi-Fi and WiMAX. Since mesh networking technology can be applied to practically any radio scheme, both widely deployed and up-and-coming technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and UWB can be meshed. This allows the best radio to be used for any given application. Wi-Fi is already being used in many existing metropolitan mesh network deployments, and will be an essential technology in the meshed digital home and enterprise markets. As WiMAX matures and becomes more widely available, it presents great opportunities for use in both wide-area mesh networks and for meshed backhaul. mesh networks

8 Motorola s Mesh Enabled Architecture: Delivering Flexibility and Performance on Demand Motorola has developed a complete architecture and product suite that enables true mobile broadband even in mission-critical, high-speed, and ad hoc applications. Motorola s Mesh Enabled Architecture (MEA )solutions build on patented techniques proven in the battlefield that enable cost-effective, high-performance, highly scalable broadband networks for any application. Wired Connection Peer-to-Peer Connection Network Connection Internet & PTSN Access Points Wireless Routers Client Devices Mesh networking is typically implemented in two basic modes: infrastructure and/or client meshing: Infrastructure meshing, which is typically used to create wide or metro area networks, creates wireless backhaul among wired access points and wireless routers. This reduces system backhaul costs while increasing network coverage and reliability. Client meshing enables wireless networks to form among end-user devices and does not require any network infrastructure to be present. In this case, data can hop between clients to reach its destination. Only Motorola s mesh-enabled products support both infrastructure and client meshing, so that intelligent access points (IAPs) can be used to connect the wireless mesh. The result is a robust, interconnected network that automatically routes around congestion, failures, and line-of-sight obstacles. The fact that mesh architectures are highly survivable is one of the main reasons the wired Internet was built using a mesh network topology. Users of Motorola s mesh networking technology simply turn on their devices to instantly create a new network or join an existing network. Routes and links are automatically formed between users, as well as to network infrastructure when available no user configuration required. This unique capability of mesh technology enables instant communications networks to form virtually anywhere. mesh networks

9 MESH-ENABLED SOLUTIONS FROM MOTOROLA Mesh Enabled Architecture (MEA ) 2.4 GHz Single Radio Solutions leverage Motorola s high-performance QDMA radio technology to offer patented and proven mobile broadband networking. These highly scalable solutions provide burst data rates up to 6 Mbps for streaming audio and video, fast and accurate position location, and voice services. MOTOMESH Multi-Radio Broadband Solution is the first multi-radio broadband network solution that combines licensed 4.9 GHz and unlicensed 2.4 GHz radios in a single access point. It also offers both QDMA and radios in each band. This enables MOTOMESH to secure access to first responders, public works, and other city agencies, while providing public Wi-Fi access that doesn t interfere with mission-critical communications. MeshTrack Broadband Indoor/Outdoor Location System leverages MEA technology to provide fast and accurate user locations typically within 7 to 10 meters in under a second. Real-time location is determined via time-of-flight and triangulation measurements from reference routers deployed at the site, and can be reported to a centralized console as well as to locationaware software applications. Technologies and Features of Motorola Mesh Products Quadrature Division Multiple Access Radio (QDMA ). This innovative radio technology offers architectural advantages that set Motorola mesh networks apart from any other mesh architecture. Designed and optimized for high-performance mobile broadband applications, QDMA enables seamless connectivity to vehicles moving at over 200 mph, while supporting user prioritization and QoS management. It also provides the position and location technology inherent in MEA networks. And it s highly resistant to both self-interference and external jamming. Mesh Scalable Routing (MSR ). This complete mobile ad hoc networking solution uses an optimized, hybrid ad hoc routing algorithm that combines both proactive and reactive routing techniques. MSR maintains routes to critical nodes and devices, building and maintaining routes to other nodes on an on demand basis. This dramatically reduces overhead and latency, while automatically adapting to varying network and RF conditions on a packet-by-packet basis. Adaptive Transmission Protocol (ATP ). Based on the capabilities available on each specific radio platform, MAC, and Phy implementation, this protocol service intelligently controls routing and radio parameters. In tandem with MSR, it works to maximize throughput while minimizing hops, power output, latency, interference, and other parameters that affect total system performance. Mesh Positioning System (MPS ). MPS technology provides fast and accurate user location and tracking, using sophisticated time-of-flight and triangulation information collected from multiple devices in the network. It works in buildings, under bridges, and in tunnels without the line-of-sight limitations of GPS satellites. MPS is ideal for search and rescue, asset management, automatic vehicle location, and other applications that require instant location of people and assets in even the most difficult environments. End-to-end IP support. Because Motorola s mesh technology is designed for complete IP support, it facilitates interoperability with existing Internet-ready applications, networks, and hardware. You can easily develop and enhance standards-based applications for mesh networks, integrate mesh technology with existing systems, and manage the entire mesh environment via SNMP. IP support also makes it easy to integrate IP video cameras, monitors, sensors, VoIP gateways, and other IP-ready devices. Security. Motorola has implemented and continues to develop many security policies and safeguards for MEA-based solutions. Authentication, authorization, and management of every element, including the client transceiver, minimize the possibility and impact of a network attack by a rogue device. Support for standards-based software encryption and VPN security ensures that data is protected from prying eyes. And the QDMA radio protocol does not support the promiscuous mode that can make Wi-Fi networks vulnerable to cracking. 9 mesh networks

10 Multiple radio and frequency support over the same infrastructure. By supporting up to four radios per access point and wireless router, Motorola creates a more versatile network that can provide separate, secure access to different groups of users. Secondary radios within the same mesh network can also be used to provide wireless backhaul capabilities, creating a more robust network while lowering the cost of wired backhaul. Industry standards. Motorola is working with standards bodies to create a strong foundation for wireless communications between multivendor systems. For example, Motorola has been a major contributor to the f standard, which enforces a unique association and secure exchange during the handoff of wireless signals from one node or access point to another. MEA uses a layered security architecture that protects both peer-to-peer and network-based traffic. Firewall MWR6300 Wireless Router Firewall Corporate LAN/WAN P2P Authentication IAP5300 Intelligent Access Point MiSC Mobile Internet Switching Controller Internet Radius Server Data Protection Transceiver Mac Address Filtering Subscriber Authentication Management: SNMPv3 FCAPS VPN End-to-End Encryption 10 mesh networks

11 MOTOROLA MESH NETWORKS ARE IMPROVING LIVES TODAY Medford, Oregon has deployed a 24 square-mile municipal network to provide high-speed data communications to 100 city workers, including law enforcement, fire and rescue, public works, and building inspection agencies. City officials expect the system to quickly pay for itself by enabling gains in personnel productivity. Providence, Rhode Island has purchased a state-of-the-art Motorola mesh networking communications system for its public safety departments. The network will enable every first responder unit in the city to access large amounts of data at a moment s notice. With this technology, police reports, suspect profiles, building blueprints, and medical records can be instantly available as a crisis unfolds. Ripon, California has selected Motorola s mesh networking solution for its citywide mobile broadband system. The mobile mesh system will be used to enhance public safety by enabling high-speed access to criminal justice databases, Amber alerts, the county s mug shot and fingerprint system, and other law enforcement information. The system will also deliver live video and data to help police officers manage situations in the field. Mesh Networking Is Redefining the Future of Wireless Mesh networking represents the ultimate evolution of the Internet, taking it into the realm of wireless mobility. That s why you ll see mesh networks increasingly serving a variety of exciting new usage models that affect almost every aspect of life. Municipal broadband networks. Today, cities are improving the efficiency and quality of community services by deploying mesh networks for public works and safety applications. Instead of returning to the office to gather schematics or to file paper work before moving on to the next job, field personnel can access databases and high-bandwidth materials on site. Thanks to the ability of Motorola mesh networks to separate and secure different types of data traffic, these same networks can be enhanced to provide citizens with low-cost broadband connectivity as well with advantages that conventional Wi-Fi can t provide, such as truly mobile access and scalability to cover a municipality of any size. Intelligent transportation systems. Departments of transportation rely on intelligent transportation systems that typically require a run of fiber-optic cable to monitoring cameras and other devices an expensive and inflexible approach that itself leads to traffic disruptions and rights-of-way issues. Moreover, portable and mobile devices may not be able to attach to the network at all. Mesh networks provide flexible, cost-effective, non-disruptive wide-area connectivity even for devices moving at freeway speeds. Telematics. Tomorrow s mesh-enabled telematics applications will warn drivers of nearby emergency situations, congestion, or adverse road conditions ahead. This information can be displayed by onboard navigation systems and roadside messaging boards in real time, recommending alternate routes based on the car s exact location. The same network can also deliver entertainment, VoIP, and mobile Internet access at freeway speeds. Mobile Wi-Fi and public transit. Mesh technology can put Wi-Fi access points in motion for public transit agencies and commercial network access providers. Instead of limiting access to stations and stops, mesh technology can extend access into buses and trains themselves transforming hot spots into hot routes. The same networks can also carry security video images, driver communications, and other information that helps the transportation system run smoother and safer. Digital home. As home users build increasingly sophisticated wireless networks to enjoy more kinds of content, at higher resolutions and on more devices throughout their homes, the tradeoff between bandwidth and range/coverage becomes a critical issue. At the same time, consumers don t want to deal with site surveys and configuration issues they just want to turn on devices and have them work together automatically. Mesh networks offer an easy way to achieve whole-house multimedia distribution, security monitoring, Internet connectivity, VoIP communications, and more. Sensor networks. Low power, energy efficient radios and processors have made sensor networks an important tool in many industrial and research fields. Today s sensor networks are typically used to detect a change in physical condition, such as temperature; a chemical condition, such as concentration; and for industrial control. Future applications will include high data-rate applications such as imaging and video, and even mobile sensor networks. Enterprise. Mesh networks are empowering enterprise field workers with access to databases, photographs, product manuals, dispatch information and other high-bandwidth information. Additionally, mesh networks technology provides users with the ability to set up ad hoc applications such as temporary security camera networks without the need for pre-deployed infrastructure. 11 mesh networks

12 Learn More about Mesh Networks Mesh networking is a revolutionary technology that is transforming the way wireless networks are created and used in a wide range of applications from industry, government, transportation, and public safety to mobile Wi-Fi, the digital home, and beyond. Motorola is a leader in mesh technology and standards. Look to Motorola for the mesh networking innovations that will transform the way people work, travel, learn, and communicate in a new world of seamless mobility. Learn more about how mesh networking is transforming the wireless landscape, enabling a new era of seamless mobility. For more information, visit: About the Authors Rick Rotondo, director of marketing for Motorola s Mesh Networks Product Group, works with innovative wireless technologies that change the way people, companies and cities communicate. With over 10 years experience in telecom and data communications, Rick has been responsible for marketing and strategic business development for various high tech organizations, most recently as VP of Technical Marketing for MeshNetworks, which was acquired by Motorola in December, Prior to joining MeshNetworks, Rick held senior marketing positions for Lucent Technologies, Excel Switching Corporation, and Nortel. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and contributes regularly to industry publications on a variety of mobile broadband and wireless networking topics. Peter Stanforth, vice President and director of technology for the Mesh Networking Products Group of Motorola, has over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. He has developed digital switching systems for wire-line and wireless telephone systems, as well as, data networking components for packet networks. Specializing in software control and signaling he was an early pioneer in the development of open programmable systems known today as Soft-Switches. He has been widely published and is a frequent conference speaker on leveraging computer and software technologies in the telecommunications industry in general and the mobile wireless community specifically. He also the holds several patents on ad hoc networking. Prior to Motorola, Peter was co-founder and CTO of MeshNetworks Inc. a start up company commercializing self-forming, self-healing technologies for fixed and mobile wireless access networks. Motorola, Inc E. Algonquin Road Schaumburg, Illinois U.S.S. media contact: Wendy White wendy.white@motorola.com MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their registered owners. Motorola, Inc. 2006