Regular Mesh Topologies in Local and Metropolitan Area Networks

Abstract

The throughput per user in loop and bus configured local area networks decreases linearly with the number of users. These networks cannot be extended to a metropolitan area with many users. A class of mesh networks is described that increases the throughput of conventional local area networks by decreasing the fraction of the network capacity needed to transmit information between a source and a destination. These networks have multiple paths that increase the reliability of the networks, and have point-to-point links that can cover a metropolitan area. In general, mesh networks require complex store-and-forward nodes that also route messages, control the flow of data entering the network, resequence packets at the destination, and recover packets with errors. However, there are characteristics of the local or metropolitan area that allow these functions to be simplified. As a result of these simplifications, loop access protocols are extended to mesh networks and the need to store and forward data is eliminated. A file transfer protocol that does not require packet resequencing is described. Three mesh networks are studied, and the desirable characteristics of networks are determined. One network, the Manhattan street network, has many of the desirable characteristics.