Network preservation through a topology control algorithm for wireless mesh networks

Abstract

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) is becoming a promising new technology for extending coverage to farflung rural areas. This it achieves by linking the various wireless LANS (WLANs) in distant locations thus providing a vital mode complimentary to the wireless infrastructure-based networks. The benefits of WMN deployments, however, come with certain challenges e.g., power management. While focussing on WMN applications in rural areas, this paper explains the need for transmit power consumption control in WMNs and proposes an Enhanced Local Minimum Shortest-path Tree (ELMST) algorithm for topology control for the WMNs. The algorithm is distributed with each node using only the information gathered locally to determine its own transmission power. In the first phase of its construction, a minimum local shortest-path tree is obtained. The last phase then involves the removal of all unidirectional links. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated via several simulation tests. The resultant network topology preserves network connectivity in addition to possessing other desirable features such as: (1) reduction in the average node degree, (2) evenly distributed power consumption among the nodes as well as (3) a reduced total power consumption leading to longer connectivity periods.