How can I increase throughput on my wireless mesh network?

We have installed a wireless mesh network that connects two access points (APs) to mesh nodes that are mounted at 25 meters high on 23 light poles. Poles are distributed around a container yard that measures 650 meters by 1,000 meters. There are six rows of containers, varying in height depending upon container movement, stacked to a maximum of 6 containers high. Walkways and vehicle lanes are located in between container stacks. We had expected to achieve 10 Mbps throughput on the ground but do not. Please recommend a solution.

Core Competence

We have installed a wireless mesh network that connects two access points (APs) to mesh nodes that are mounted at 25 meters high on 23 light poles. Poles are distributed around a container yard that measures 650 meters by 1,000 meters. There are six rows of containers, varying in height depending upon container movement, stacked to a maximum of 6 containers high. Walkways and vehicle lanes are located in between container stacks. We had expected to achieve 10 Mbps throughput on the ground but do not. Please recommend a solution.

Wireless implementation resources

To learn more about WLAN planning and design, check out Lisa Phifer's SearchNetworking.com eGuide on 802.11n Implementation Best Practices.

Assuming that your light poles are spaced at regular intervals, it sounds like your nodes are probably separated by 100-150 meters. That would be fairly far apart, even in open air with clear line-of-sight between all nodes. In your case, it seems likely that line-of-sight is heavily impeded by dense, reflective shipping containers, at least part of the time.

Step 2 of 2:

You forgot to provide an Email Address.

This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

This email address is already registered. Please login.

You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

Please provide a Corporate E-mail Address.
- I agree to TechTarget’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and the transfer of my information to the United States for processing to provide me with relevant information as described in our Privacy Policy.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.
- I agree to my information being processed by TechTarget and its Partners to contact me via phone, email, or other means regarding information relevant to my professional interests. I may unsubscribe at any time.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.

I recommend taking on-location measurements to determine how far the signal is currently propagating at strength sufficient to maintain 10 Mbps throughput, under representative container configurations, measured at regular intervals throughout the yard. You may need to add more wireless mesh nodes -– but more likely, you may want to use directional antennas to better focus transmissions between mesh nodes into walkways and vehicle lanes that provide clear line-of-sight. But don't just add mesh nodes; a thorough site survey is definitely the place to start.

This was last published in December 2009

Dig Deeper on Wireless LAN Implementation

All
News
Get Started
Evaluate
Manage
Problem Solve

Have a question for an expert?

Please add a title for your question

Get answers from a TechTarget expert on whatever's puzzling you.

Meet all of our Networking experts

View all Networking questions and answers

Related Resources

Dig Deeper on Wireless LAN Implementation

Related Q&A from Lisa Phifer

Have a question for an expert?

Start the conversation

0 comments

Register

Login

Forgot your password?

Your password has been sent to:

Please create a username to comment.