Deploying and configuring wireless mesh network in coexistence of highly interfering wireless LANs

In wireless mesh network, environmental conditions and location of “nodes” on the network are largely unpredictable and in a constant state of change. Heterogeneous signal propagation patterns in addition to interference from existing infrastructure pose significant challenges for a wireless mesh network design. In this paper, we explore, by experiments, link performance results produced at Qatar University (QU) wireless mesh test-bed in the coexistence of high interfering wireless transmission. We first perform signal strength measurements for path loss, shadowing, and fading at 2.4/5 GHz frequencies. Then, we investigate the effect of unique cell structure, and heavy lab machinery of the engineering building on the link performance. Furthermore, we study different wireless mesh node configurations and equipments’ effect on performance and network connectivity. The causes behind link instability and performance shortcoming of the QU wireless mesh network (QUMESH) are identified. Our analysis reveals that the link performance degradation is caused by high interference with wireless LANs, and special QU College of engineering structure. Our work provides insights to network designers to realize highperformance wireless networks by considering the adequate configuration, equipments, and addressing the adaptive transmission approaches.