Characterization of Wireless Mesh Network performance in an experimental test bed

Studies in Wireless Mesh Networks have often focused on the comparison of various mesh protocols, or the design of new mesh protocols in a simulation environment (such as NS2, OPNET etc.). However the results obtained in a simulation environment are sometimes not valid in a real site where the network is meant to be deployed. This paper describes the development of a new large scale wireless mesh network test bed and a preliminary analysis of three mesh protocols. This experimental test bed can be used to compare various protocols, to design new protocols and perform a detailed testing and so on.