Simulation-Based Optimization for Wireless Mesh Network Planning

Wireless mesh networks are dynamically self-organized and self-configured, with the nodes in the network automatically establishing and maintaining mesh connectivity among them. Wireless mesh networks consist of three types of nodes: clients, routers and gateways. Wireless Mesh Network planning consists of determining the amount of routers needed to meet the demands for Internet access. It is a complicated task since it involves several sets of variables: network topology, traffic model, cost, capability etc. In this paper, we developed a simulation tool for planning of wireless mesh networks, which routers must be installed and the routes between clients and gateways are chosen using optimization metrics. We developed the simulator based on a mathematical model proposed for the problem, using the optimization metrics of the model. Thus, in this paper, we define specific scenarios for comparing simulation results with the results obtained with the mathematical model. The simulator finds good solutions and it is able to simulate large networks.