Single Gateway Placement in Wireless Mesh Networks

Abstract

Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) remain pivotal in various domains due to their versatility and scalability, offering robust and adaptable connectivity in areas where traditional wired networks are impractical. They find extensive use in diverse scenarios like smart cities, disaster recovery, industrial automation, and rural connectivity, underscoring their continued relevance in modern networking applications. Recent research in WMNs has increasingly concentrated on optimizing gateway placement and selection to enhance network performance and ensure efficient data transmission. This paper introduces a novel approach to maximize average throughput by strategically positioning gateways within the mesh topology. Leveraging Coulomb's law, previously employed in network analysis by Zhang et al., this method aims to enhance network performance through optimized gateway placement. Through thorough simulations and analysis, the effectiveness of this approach in improving both throughput and network efficiency is demonstrated. This study contributes to the ongoing evolution of WMN optimization strategies, emphasizing the indispensable role of gateway placement in establishing robust and efficient wireless communication infrastructures. By leveraging physics-based models like Coulomb's law, the proposed approach provides a framework for objectively optimizing gateway placement, thereby addressing a critical aspect of WMN design. These findings offer valuable insights for network designers and operators, guiding informed decision-making processes for gateway deployment in diverse WMN deployments.