Site Planning For Wireless Mesh Network

i

SITE PLANNING FOR WIRELESS MESH NETWORK

VISNU VARADA

This report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Electronic Engineering (Telecommunication Electronics)

With Honors

Faculty of Electronic and Computer Engineering Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka

ii

UNIVERSTI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRONIK DAN KEJURUTERAAN KOMPUTER

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN

PROJEK SARJANA MUDA II

Tajuk Projek : SITE PLANNING FOR WIRELESS MESH NETWORK

Sesi Pengajian

0 9 / 1 0

Saya VISNU VARADA

mengaku membenarkan Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda ini disimpan di Perpustakaan dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:

1. Laporan adalah hakmilik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.

2. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja.

3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara

institusi pengajian tinggi.

4. Sila tandakan ( √ ) :

SULIT*

*(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau

kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub di dalam AKTA

RAHSIA RASMI 1972)

TERHAD** **(Mengandungi maklumat terhad yang telah ditentukan oleh

organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)

TIDAK TERHAD

Disahkan oleh:

__________________________ ___________________________________

(TANDATANGAN PENULIS) (COP DAN TANDATANGAN PENYELIA)

iii

DECLARATION

“I hereby declare that this report is result of my own effort except for works that have been cited clearly in the references.”

Signature : ……….

iv

“I hereby declare that I have read this report and in my opinion this report is sufficient in terms of the scope and quality for the award of Bachelor of Electronic

Engineering (Computer Engineering) With Honours”

Signature : ……….

Supervisor : Mr.Mohd Riduan Bin Ahmad

v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

vi

ABSTRAK

vii

ABSTRACT

i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND 1

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT AND OBJECTIVE 2

1.3 SCOPE OF WORK 2

1.4 PROJECT SIGNIFICANT 3

1.5 CONTRIBUTION OF THE PROJECT 3

1.6 THESIS ORGANIZATION 3

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

PAGE TITLE i

VERIFICATION OF WORK DECLARATION

VERIFICATION BY SUPERVISOR

ii iii iv

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v

ABSTRACT ( MALAY VERSION ) vi

ABSTRACT ( ENGLISH VERSION ) vii

CONTENTS viii

LIST OF TABLE xii

LIST OF FIGURE xiii

LIST OF ABBREVIATION LIST OF APPENDICES

ix

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1 WIRELESS MESH NETWORK 4

2.1.1 Wireless Mesh Node 5

2.1.2 Wireless Access Point 5

2.1.3 Advantages of Mesh Networking 6

2.1.4 Important Wireless Mesh Networking Principles 6

2.1.5 Important Consideration 7

2.2 WIRELESS MESH NETWORK PLANNING 8

2.2.1 Network Mapping 8

2.2.2 Network Formation 8

2.2.3 Frequency Planning 10

2.2.4 Ip Assignment Plan 10

2.3 INTERNET PROTOCOL(IP) 11

2.3.1 Class of IP 11

2.4 RADIO SIGNAL STRENGHT INDICATOR 12

2.5 THROUGHPUT FOR WIRELESS MESH NETWORK 13

2.5.1 Throughput over TCP and UDP 14

2.6 PROPAGATION MECHANISM 16

2.6.1 Reflection 16

2.6.2 Absorption 16

2.6.3 Diffraction 16

2.6.4 Scattering 17

2.6.5 Refraction 17

2.6.7 The Multipath Effect 17

2.7 PROPAGATION MODELS 17

2.7.1 Empirical Models 19

2.7.1.1 Modified Free Space Model 19

2.7.1.2 Motley-Keenan Model 20

2.7.1.3 Cost Multi Wall Model 21

2.7.3 Semi Deterministic Models 22

3 METHODOLGY 23

3.0 INTRODUCTION 23

3.1 NETWORK PLANNING 24

3.2 NETWORK DELPOYMENT 26

3.2.1 Important Features for WRT610N 27

3.3 NETWORK MONITORING 28

3.3.1 XIRRUS W-iFi Inspector 28

3.3.1.1 Radar 30

3.3.1.2 Network 31

3.3.1.3 Signal History 32

3.4 DATA COLLECTION METHOD 33

4 RESULT AND DATA ANALYSIS 34

4.0 PLANNING THE TEST-BED 34

4.1 SIMULATION MODEL USING PROMAN APPLICATION IN WINPROP 36

4.2 SIMULATION USING PROMAN APPLICATION IN WINPROP 36

4.2.1 Empirical Simulation Result for Ground Level 38

4.2.2 Deterministic Simulation Result for Ground Level 40 4.2.3 Semi Deterministic Simulation Result for Ground Level… 40

4.2.1 Empirical Simulation Result for Ground Level 38

4.2.2 Deterministic Simulation Result for Ground Level 40

4.2.3 Semi Deterministic Simulation Result for Ground Level 40

4.2.4 Empirical Simulation Result for First Level 41

xi

4.2.6 Semi Deterministic Simulation Result

for First Level 45

4.2.7 Empirical Simulation Result for Second Level 46

4.2.8 Deterministic Simulation Result for Second Level 47

4.2.9 Semi Deterministic Simulation Result for Ground Level 48

4.2.10 Empirical Simulation Result for Third Level 49

4.2.11 Deterministic Simulation Result for Third Level 50 4.2.12 Semi Deterministic Simulation Result for Ground Level 51

4.5 DATA ANALYSIS 52

4.5.1 Ground Level Data Analysis 52

4.5.2 First Level Data Analysis 62

4.5.3 Second Level Data Analysis 65

4.6 GRAFICAL USER INTERFACE 68

5 CONCLUSION 72

5.1 CONCLUSION 72

5 2 FUTURE WORK 73

REFERENCES 74

xii

TABLE 4.0

4.1 4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

LIST OF TABLE

DESCRIPTION Models In ProMan

Measured Data and Empirical data Measured Data and Deterministic prediction

data

Measured Data and Semi - Deterministic prediction data

Prediction Model Vs Measured power for First Level

Prediction Model Vs Measured power for Second Level

Prediction Model Vs Measured power for Third Level

PAGE 36

53 58

59

64

67

xiii

LIST OF FIGURE

FIGURE DESCRIPTION PAGE

2.0 2.1

General overview about wireless mesh network Channel allocation for Wi-Fi network

5 7 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4

Simplest mesh topology

Connection between two or more cluster IP assignments method

Class of IP Address WLAN interface

TCP Protocol Flow Diagram TCP Frame Structure

UDP Protocol Flow Diagram UDP Frame Structure

Empirical model and Deterministic model Type of Model

One Slope Model Prediction Technique Motley-Keenan Prediction Technique Software and Hardware overview Project Methodology Flowchart Winprop Simulation Example WRT610N wireless router Back Panel of WRT610N

xiv 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28

XIRRUS Wi-Fi inspector interface Radar Window

Network Window Signal History Window Location of the Test Bed

3-D Internal View of The Test Bed Planned Wireless Mesh Network

Simulation Result in Multi floor criteria Received Power Simulation

Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation 3D view Of Second Level Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation Received Power Simulation

xv

4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 4.37 4.38 5.0

Received Power Simulation 3D view of Third Level

Location of Points at Ground Level Direct ray between Tx and Rx Location of router at second level Main Interface

Ground Level Interface First Level Interface Second Level Interface Third Level Interface

Accuracy of prediction model

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

dBm Decibel mili

GUI Graphical user interface Kbps kilobits Per Second MAC Media Access Control RF Radio Frequency RX Receive

TX Transmit

WLAN Wireless local area network WMN Wireless mesh network

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX DESCRIPTION PAGE

APPENDIX A WRT-610N data sheet 77

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

This project is basically focused on network deployment for providing a Wi-Fi access for a selected test-bed. In this project, FKEKK building area is taken as the test-bed. Thesis process involves network planning, monitoring, data collection, analyses and optimization of wireless mesh network in order to maximize the usage and quality of the network. Two parameters will be observed namely Received Signal Strength Indicator or RSSI (can be translated to Signal-to-Noise ratio or SNR) and network Throughput.

Wireless mesh networks [1] can easily, effectively and wirelessly connect entire cities using inexpensive, existing technology. Traditional networks rely on a small number of wired access points or wireless hotspots to connect users. In a wireless mesh network, the network connection is spread out among dozens or even hundreds of wireless mesh nodes that communicate to each other to share the network connection across a large area.

2

the common Wi-Fi standards known as 802.11a, b and g to communicate wirelessly with users, and, more importantly, with each other.

In a wireless mesh network, only one node needs to be physically wired

to a network connection like a DSL Internet modem. That one wired node then shares its Internet connection wirelessly with all other nodes in its vicinity. Those nodes then share the connection wirelessly with the nodes closest to them. The more nodes, the further the connection spreads, creating a wireless connectivity that can serve from a small scale geographical area to big scale geographical area.

1.2 Problem Statement and Objective

Normally wireless network is deployed considering only the higher layer information and neglect lower layer information such as RSSI (Radio signal strength indicator) during the planning process. Most of the propagation effects at lower layer such as fading and multipath are not considered. By considering the relationship between Throughput and lower layer information such as RSSI and SNR, we reckon that the wireless network performance can be optimized.

This project aims to:

1. To plan wireless mesh network.

2. To simulate Received Signal Strength (RSSI) using WinProp. 3. To deploy wireless mesh network test-bed.

4. To evaluate the performance of wireless mesh network in terms of RSSI and Throughput.

1.3 Scope of Work

This project basically involves four main scopes that are network planning, network monitoring and data collection, data analysis and finally is network optimization.

sub-3

netting the wireless mesh network according to the number of required users. Network monitoring and data collection involves measurement campaign to collect RSSI. Data analyses involve creating models for the collected data to show the relationship between predicted model and RSSI (proportional to SNR).

1.4 Project Significant

The significant of this project is making a major contribution to the wireless service provider. This because this project will analyze about all received power models and finally come to a conclusion which model is the best model to use in desired criteria that is in indoor criteria in this project.

1.5 Contribution of the Project

Basically in this project, my contribution is to plan, simulate, deploy, and measure the real value of RSSI, and finally created a graphical user interface in order to show the accuracy of every prediction model the wireless network.

1.6 Thesis Organization

CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Wireless Mesh Network

5

Figure 2.0: General overview about wireless mesh network

2.1.1 Wireless Mesh Node

A wireless mesh node consists of a wireless router and an antenna. The mesh node could be installed indoors or in a weather-proof enclosure outdoors. The antenna could be the standard indoor Omni-directional antenna (give coverage in 360°). A mesh node communicates only with other wireless mesh nodes.

2.1.2 Wireless Access Point

6

2.1.3 Advantages of Mesh Networking

 Self-forming: The wireless mesh network forms automatically once the mesh nodes have been configured and activated.

 Self-healing: Once restored, a node rejoins the mesh network seamlessly.

 Fault tolerance: If redundant routes exist in the network, information flow is not interrupted in the rest of the network when one node fails. The network will dynamically reroute the information via the next available route.

2.1.4 Important Wireless Mesh Networking Principles

 Communication between mesh nodes are based on Wi-Fi radios (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g) attached to Omni-directional antennas.

 All radios are set to ad-hoc mode (not client mode or infrastructure (access point) mode).

 Each node in the WMN has the same SSID (name) and BSSID (number) the BSSID should be fixed to prevent partitioning of the wireless network and prevent handover of mobile client from one node to another node.

 In an ideal WMN, each node should be able to communicate at least two other nodes in the WMN.

 All nodes in the WMN (in one cluster) will operate on the same channel (frequency).

 A mesh routing protocol, like OLSR, will route IP traffic between the wireless interfaces of the mesh nodes. Each node will communicate to listening to the routing information exchanged in the network to select the best route to transfer data. So via this OLSR protocol each node not only have one route but many available route. If any node fail to communicate (device failure), other neighbor node is available to transfer the data to gateway.

 All nodes (in one cluster) in the WMN will operate on the same channel (frequency).

7

2.1.5 Important Consideration

 Telecommunications Regulations: in our country MCMC is takes roles for all wireless communication frequency licenses. So, refer to MCMC 2.4GHz band is unlicensed frequency spectrum that can be used as channel allocation in Wi-Fi network.

 Wireless network planning: As known 2.4GHz band is unlicensed ISM spectrum frequency, many Wi-Fi channels is overlap with other wireless device that will cause interference that will decrease performance of the network. Common device that interfere with Wi-Fi network is such as Microwave ovens, air-conditioners, cell phone Bluetooth device and other radio device. So there only three non-overlap channels that is 1, 6, and 11. Channel allocation for Wi-Fi network is shown below.