Principles of Mesh Networks
9 May 2017 | Nolan Manteufel | nolan.manteufel@gmail.com
Abstract
This paper presents twelve (12) principles of mesh
networking.
Introduction
Mesh networks are a type of communications topology.
The term mesh network was invented by the computer
science community to describe computer network
topologies in which (1) each communicating device (node)
can communicate (link) with any other communicating
device, and (2) each communicating device can originate,
terminate and forward communication messages.
In practice, most mesh networks are a hybrid of the mesh
topology with one or more other network topologies. A
holistic framework of fundamental characteristics of mesh
networks can be useful for understanding, discussing and
optimizing hybrid applications of mesh networks. Most
electrical engineers are familiar with wireless radio mesh
networks and will find little value in such a framework.
However, as a communications topology, mesh networking
has applications beyond the field of electrical engineering.
A holistic framework of mesh network principles will better
enable scientists and engineers in other disciples to benefit
from this body of knowledge.
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Principles of Mesh Networks
Mesh networks are characterized by (1) the mesh
arrangement of links and nodes (i.e. network) and (2) the
transfer of messages between terminal nodes (i.e.
communication).
Mesh network links have qualities of (1) modality, (2) life
cycle, and (3) transfer ability.
Mesh network nodes have qualities of (1) role, (2)
intelligence, and (3) versatility.
Mesh communication messages have qualities of (1)
relevance, (2) meaning, and (3) value.
Mesh communication transfers have qualities of (1) path,
(2) period, and (3) pervasion.
Modality. Mesh network link modality refers to the
phenomenon-implementation via which communication is
transferred. In electrical engineering, modality often refers
to wire, fiber or wireless. In other disciplines, modality will
refer to other types of phenomena. Such as chemistry,
sight, sound, touch or quantum connections. A links
modality may be mono-modal or multi-modal. In social
sciences, human communication often occurs on multi-
modal links (i.e. sight, sound, touch).
Calling this quality modality and recognizing the ability for
multi-modal links encourages the identification of obscure
modes and suggests likely scientific complexity. Regarding
multi-modal links, consider (1) modal visibility, (2) modal
communication propensity, (3) modal communication
precedence, priority or sequence.
Life Cycle. Mesh network link life-cycle refers to the
dynamic nature of links. Although a link with relatively long
life-cycle phases may appear permanent (at least, for the
sake of a communication episode), no links are permanent.
All links have a life-cycle. In electrical engineering a link
between stationary radio towers may appear permanent.
However, this link has a life-cycle that includes ambient
interference, power or maintenance outages at either
tower, etc. In many electrical engineering applications, a
link between moving nodes may appear very dynamic. In
such a case, a links life-cycle may be singular and very brief,
or routine and very brief. It may be necessary to use GPS
data to accurately define a links life-cycle.
Calling this quality life-cycle, as opposed to static vs
dynamic, encourages a more comprehensive perspective
of the links development and behavior over time.
Transfer Ability. Mesh network link transfer-ability refers
to the ability of a link to transfer a message. More simply,
link transfer-ability is about data per time. Studying this
quality is almost the same thing as studying modal
limitations and life-cycle health states. The different is
the nuance of abstraction.
Calling this modality transfer ability, as opposed to data
rate, encourages the consideration of message-transfers
that involve data for which science does not yet have
systems of measurement.
Role. Mesh network node role refers to the function of the
node with respect to the mesh and messages. In electrical
engineering mesh networks, the main roles are terminal
and router. When a node is behaving as a terminal, it is
either originating or receiving a message relevant to itself.
When a node is behaving as a router, it is either forwarding
or terminating a message relevant to another node.
Calling this quality role encourages scientists and
engineers in other disciplines to identity the unique
functionality of their nodes and adopt terminology that may
be different than terminal and router.
Intelligence. Mesh network node intelligence refers to the
information, memory and processing abilities present on
the node. In electrical engineering, information ability
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includes signals from sensors, messages, and memory;
memory ability refers to static and dynamic data storage;
and processing ability refers to processing power and
processing algorithms that allow the node to modify its
behavior. Node intelligence should be evaluated with
respect to node role.
Calling this quality intelligence encourages scientists and
engineers to make use of theories of human intelligence
developed by psychologists Howard Gardner and Karl
Albrecht. Gardner defined intelligence as the ability to
process information to solve problems. Also according to
psychology, learning occurs when information is processed
in ways that modify future behavior.
Versatility. Mesh network node versatility refers to a
nodes ability to be modified, or modify itself. Unlike the
behavior modification of intelligence, versatility refers to
change in role or intelligence. In electrical engineering, this
refers to a nodes ability to be upgraded or reprogrammed.
Calling this quality versatility, as opposed to
programmability, coping ability, growth or
evolution, allows scientists and engineers in very
different fields to share knowledge at a more abstract level.
Relevance. Mesh communication message relevance refers
to the relationship between a message and nodes. Because
mesh network nodes behave in different roles, they are
designed to handle messages that are irrelevant to
themselves. Some messages are relevant to all, some or
two nodes. In electrical engineering, relevance is often
described as sender-receiver, or source-destination,
metadata.
Relevance can be extended to include timeliness. However,
this paper places message timeliness in the (below)
category of value.
Meaning. Mesh communication message meaning refers
to the type, and context, of information contained in
messages.
Information type refers to the operable meaning of the include all (1) link transmission time(s), (2) node processing
message. For example, consider the distinction between (1) time(s) and (3) node-node link life-cycle delay(s).
a message about the position of chess pieces in a game and
Pervasion. Mesh network communication pervasion refers
(2) a new chess move. The meaning of the first message
to the extent to which a message is transferred to the entire
could be classified as problem statement, while the
network. This includes the concept of path focus and
meaning of the second message could be classified as
message direct-ability. Communication directionality is the
problem solution. Two examples of information types.
quality resulting from path focus applied to a directable
Information context refers to the contextual meaning of the message.
message. Continuing the chess analogy, consider a group
Calling this quality pervasion allows the distinction
of mesh network messages wherein each message contains
between messages with a global and individual focus to be
information about piece locations on a chess board. The
described as more, or less, pervasive.
meaning of each message has a context with respect to the
other messages. Conclusion

Calling this quality meaning invites the application of Twelve (12) principles of mesh networks include:
ideas developed by information theorists.
1. Link modality
Value. Mesh network message value refers to the 2. Link life-cycle
usefulness of a message to solve a valuable problem. An 3. Link transfer-ability
alternative term is utility. Value is a complex topic that 4. Node role
includes the subjects of (1) correctness, (2) completeness, 5. Node intelligence
and (3) timeliness. Each are venerable subjects that have 6. Node versatility
been formally developed by disciplines outside electrical 7. Message relevance
engineering. 8. Message meaning
9. Message value
Correctness includes a messages qualities of precision and
10. Communication path
accuracy.
11. Communication period
Completeness includes a messages qualities of attention 12. Communication pervasion
and focus.
In conclusion, these twelve (12) fundamental properties of
Timeliness includes the concept that the value of mesh networks are presented as a holistic framework that
information has an expiration period or calculable half- may be helpful to scientists and engineers facing problems
life. that diverge from classical electrical engineering.

Path (route). Mesh network communication path (route)

refers to the series of links and nodes that a message passes
through between sending and receiving terminals.

Period (time). Mesh network communication period (time)

refers to the time intervals involved with transferring a
message through a mesh network. These time intervals

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