Small world wireless mesh networks

In this paper, the performance of a wireless mesh network (WMN) is improved by introducing a number of long links at strategic locations, based on the small world network concept, to shorten transmission delay. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to determine the minimum number of long links and their locations such that the maximum number of hops of a given WMN with n nodes is minimized. In the optimization process, practical implementation aspects are considered. These include the radio interference likely to be introduced by the long links, and the possibility of traffic congestion at these links. It is envisaged that a long link will be equipped with a higher power transmitter and directional antenna.