Mesh Networks

Because deployment is very line site sensitive, it is worthwhile to consider adaptive
antennas that can search for the strongest signal and adapt to new signal paths as network
density increases. These are known as mesh networks. Some meshed networks are
claimed to be able to support 1 in 1012 bit error rates and 99.999 (five nines) availability.
Meshed networks (see Figure 15.4) depend on users acting as repeaters This results
in a distributed communications network.
When a transceiver is installed, the antenna searches for the strongest signal within
a 360° radius and then locks to that signal. If a heavy rainstorm disrupts the signal, the
antenna can look in another direction to reestablish an alternative path—adaptive
fixed-access bandwidth. Figure 15.5 is an adaptive antenna array designed for Radiant
Networks. The antenna array is motor driven and physically rotates to establish links
with other users.