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nearly 600 GB of data daily in Google’s Mountain View, entirely via wireless. Upon installation, mesh routers
California network, 1 TB of data transferred daily in Ponca automatically discover one another and self-organize
City, Oklahoma), large numbers of M2M end-points (more into an interconnected wireless mesh network. Each
than 1 million electricity and water meters in Abu Dhabi) mesh router determines the presence of both clients and
and large numbers of routers (more than 3,000 routers other mesh routers. Once a mesh router has identified
operating in the network in Abu Dhabi). However, because the existence of other like devices, it builds a table of
mesh networks generally don’t require tower construction, neighboring devices and the corresponding paths through
they can also economically cover small areas, such as a the network that each neighbor provides. The mesh router
single distribution feeder. then identifies the optimal path to send data across the
Secure: Broadband wireless mesh networks can implement network, to the wired gateway.
a multi-layer, defense-in-depth security architecture using
open security standards including AES, IEEE 802.1x,
IEEE 802.11i, RADIUS, IPSec, SSL/TLS and SSH. Using Not All Mesh Networks Are Created Equal
a multi-layer, defense-in-depth approach, wireless mesh Unfortunately, in the utility industry, the term mesh network
networks have attained FIPS 140-2 and NERC CIP 002- has created some confusion because two different types
009 compliance and are compatible with NISTIR 7628 and of mesh networks are used for two different applications.
IEC 6235. Utilities tend to be more familiar with the AMI meter meshes
Interoperability/Open Standards: Broadband wireless used to implement the NANs that transport metering data
mesh networks support open standards so that they between meters and their associated AMI collectors. These
can interoperate with other standards-based smart grid narrowband mesh networks use lower frequency bands,
components. Standards supported by wireless mesh supply much less capacity and cover smaller geographic
networks include TCP/UDP/IP, 802.11 (Wi-Fi) and 802.3 areas with fewer connected devices than the broadband
(Ethernet). To integrate legacy field devices and avoid mesh networks that are the subject of this article.
stranded assets, some mesh routers also support secure Broadband wireless mesh networks use higher
network connections to devices that use serial RS-232 or frequencies, typically the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz RF bands.
RS-485 links and automation protocols such as DNP-3 These frequency bands supply more and wider RF
and IEC 61850. channels, providing higher capacity and the option to
Mobility: Broadband wireless mesh networks provide automatically move between channels within a band and
seamless, session-persistent roaming at vehicular speeds between bands to mitigate interference. Broadband mesh
for as long as they stay within the mesh coverage area. networks have been proven to scale to very high capacity
Clients, including those that have established an IPSec/ (1 TB per day), large coverage areas (3,000 square miles)
VPN connection, can move between nodes, gateway and large numbers of connected devices (1 million).
and even IP subnets without losing connections. The best
mobile network connections can be achieved by using a CONCLUSION
mobile mesh router such as the Troops 4310.
Communication networks are a key component to smart
grid implementation. Utilities implementing smart grid
IMPLEMENTING FIELD AREA COMMUNICATION communication networks generally use a multi-tier network
NETWORKS USING BROADBAND WIRELESS MESH architecture. A number of wireless technology choices
Broadband wireless mesh networks are implemented are available to Tier 2 network – the field area network or
by installing mesh routers throughout the coverage area. FAN. When comparing the capabilities of these technology
Along a feeder, units typically mount on the horizontal choices to the requirements of the FAN, broadband wireless
mast arm of a street light pole or to a power pole and are mesh networks, supplemented by PTMP links when
typically AC powered. Though mounting on streetlights necessary, provide the best match to the requirements.
and power poles is the simplest method, mesh routers
can be deployed on a wide array of vertical and horizontal
structures such as communications towers, traffic signal Bert Williams is the Director, Global Marketing for ABB
arms, tornado warning towers, building parapets, and Tropos Wireless Communication Systems and brings 30
even palm trees. To provide wireless communication years of experience in successfully leading the marketing
across a substation floor, mesh routers can be mounted organizations of networking companies. Mr. Williams was
to structures and equipment within the substation. Mobile Vice President of Marketing for Tropos Networks from 2002
mesh routers can be installed in vehicles. to 2007 and returned to the company shortly before its
Some mesh routers, called gateways, connect to the Tier acquisition by ABB after working as an executive marketing
1 core IP network. In areas where gateways are required consultant for four years. Prior to Tropos, Mr. Williams
but a fiber drop to the Tier 1 network is not readily available, held senior marketing positions at AlteonWebSystems
PTMP wireless links can fill the void. The percentage of (acquired by Nortel Networks), Qualix Group, SynOptics
mesh routers configured as gateways varies depending on Communications (part of Bay Networks), Synernetics and
the amount to traffic that needs to travel to/from the Tier 1 Advanced Micro Devices. Mr. Williams holds a BS with
network and the FAN. University Honors in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie
Mesh routers not configured as gateways communicate Mellon and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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