Proposal of layer 2 based approach for constructing wireless mesh networks

Recently, a wireless mesh network is being paid attention. IEEE 802.11s is actively studying HWMP (Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol), which is based on AODV (Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector) routing, as a candidate of a route selection method in a wireless mesh network. However, since AODV is designed for the layer 3 routing, it is not always a good way to apply this protocol to the wireless mesh network which is essentially a layer 2 network. The layer 2 network has its own network control mechanisms, such as loop free structuring based on the spanning tree protocol, the broadcasting over bridges, and the route selection based on the filtering database. So, it is considered reasonable to construct a wireless mesh network using those layer 2 approaches. This paper proposes how to constructing a loop free wireless mesh network by using modified Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol.