UtiliNet Mesh Network Overview

Much like a giant fishnet over a service area, Cellnet® UtiliNet® radios work together to create a mesh. At each point where one thread of the fishnet crosses over another, a node is created in the wide area network (WAN). A node is one radio that may be attached to an end-device(s). Because each radio can speak to and respond to neighboring radios in the network, each radio is an equal participant in the network. The result is increased communication reliability because there is no single point of failure. While a radio is interacting with an end-device(s), it is simultaneously acting as part of the mesh network. The concept of creating a mesh is central to what makes UtiliNet a truly robust data communication solution.

Each radio has the equivalent of a programmable logic controller (PLC)-like device located inside. This device enables the radio to act much like a small computer, carrying out any number of computing and command functions. The intelligence in each radio means that a system operator is able to delegate many routine decisions out into the system. The distribution of intelligence throughout a system means that a network operator has more time to focus on the most important tasks.

Each end-device radio generates a "packet" of data that is transmitted to some destination. The packet is "addressed" to the destination and entered into the network. The data packet traverses the network by "hopping" from radio to radio in the direction of the destination-addressed radio. The route chosen for traversing the network is dynamic and employs automatic rerouting in the event a particular data path is not clear. The system automatically minimizes the amount of "hops" between the radios, which increase the transmission speed.

A robust mesh network is excellent for executing intelligent multi-point-to-multi-point communications. Traditional point-to-multi-point systems are prone to network congestion as data streams back towards a master station. A mesh network eliminates this problem as data is evenly spread across the entire mesh (i.e., a multi-point-to-multi-point network). Furthermore, most of these traditional network topologies "poll", gathering data sequentially. UtiliNet radios can handle peer-to-peer and unsolicited reporting-which is both faster and more efficient.