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Submission Title: [ Wireless Neighborhood Area Networks – WNAN Wireless Neighborhood Area Networks – WNAN ]Date Submitted: [ 15 July, 2008 ]Source: [ George Flammer George Flammer ] Company/Organization [ Silver Spring Networks Silver Spring Networks ]Address: [ 575 Broadway, Redwood City, CA ] Tel [ 650-298-4200]E-Mail: [ gflammer (at) SilverSpringNet.com ]

Re: IEEE 802 Plenary WNAN Tutorial

Abstract: WNAN description, mesh network performance, appropriateness of 802.15.4 for WNAN

Purpose: To brief IEEE 802 Membership on WNAN application area and need for standards

Notice: This document has been prepared to assist the IEEE P802.15. It is offered as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein.

Release: The contributor acknowledges and accepts that this contribution becomes the property of IEEE and may be made publicly available by P802.15.

Project: IEEE P802.15 Working GroupProject: IEEE P802.15 Working Groupfor Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)

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Wireless Neighborhood Area NetworksWireless Neighborhood Area Networks

WNANWNANJuly 15th, 2008 15-08-0457-00-0000

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WNAN applications may be defined as wide area process control • Low BW – less than 100 kB per day

• Latency tolerant - less than 10 seconds

• Exceptional events require low single digit responses (e.g. less than 2 seconds)

• Nominally fixed locations; not mobile.

• Complete ubiquity: every device location connected – millions of locations, tens of thousands of square miles

WNAN = Process ControlWNAN = Process Control

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15-08-0457-00-0000WNAN ‘neighborhood’WNAN ‘neighborhood’

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For process control, the WNAN extends from the computer to the monitored and controlled devices.

For the Utility application, the WNAN logically extends ‘from the tower to the toaster’.

Topologically, this can be 802.15.4 devices and relays being aggregated by 802.11/802.16 WAN to an 802.3 LAN.

The WNAN application spaceThe WNAN application space

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15-08-0457-00-0000Mesh networks provide scalable Mesh networks provide scalable performanceperformance

Average round trip time (RTT) of ~350 byte meter reads for 48,000 meters.Average round trip time (RTT) of ~350 byte meter reads for 48,000 meters.

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Latency to any one Latency to any one endpoint is highly endpoint is highly correlated with hop correlated with hop count. One mesh count. One mesh topology would have topology would have endpoints continually endpoints continually evaluate and improve evaluate and improve their routes “in and their routes “in and out”. out”.

Multiple alternate paths Multiple alternate paths in and out of the in and out of the network are vetted and network are vetted and the best selected.the best selected.

Each endpoint can use Each endpoint can use available local available local information to plot information to plot routes in and out. routes in and out. Viewed globally, the Viewed globally, the highly scalable process highly scalable process ‘balances’ overall mesh ‘balances’ overall mesh load for highest load for highest performance.performance.

Mesh networks distribute intelligenceMesh networks distribute intelligence

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With RSSI in every radio, the radio With RSSI in every radio, the radio spectrum can be measured everywhere; spectrum can be measured everywhere; in this case hourly.in this case hourly.

This graphic shows signal occupancy This graphic shows signal occupancy across 26MHz (902-928MHz).across 26MHz (902-928MHz).

These data were taken in a ‘small city’ These data were taken in a ‘small city’ environment – trolley cars, four lane environment – trolley cars, four lane streets, etc.streets, etc.

The mesh network is in operation.The mesh network is in operation.

Occupied channels are blue. Empty Occupied channels are blue. Empty channels are red/pink trending toward channels are red/pink trending toward white – spectrum sharing rules white – spectrum sharing rules established by the FCC in the early established by the FCC in the early 1990’s still work well.1990’s still work well.

Mesh networks utilize spectrum Mesh networks utilize spectrum efficientlyefficiently

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15-08-0457-00-0000Open StandardsOpen Standards

The power plug has been an ‘open standard’ for 100 yearsThe power plug has been an ‘open standard’ for 100 yearsLeverages trillion dollar utility capitalMillions of devices have been independently developedPlug it in and it ‘just works’

IP provides the open standard for the Wireless NANIP provides the open standard for the Wireless NANLeverages trillion dollar collective R&D budgetEnables vendor community to develop products independently Plug it in and it ‘just works’

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• Geographically distributed process control network

• With a very large number of

• High value endpoints in

• Nominally fixed locations with

• Handfuls of kilobytes moving

• Within handfuls of seconds

Not a ‘fat’ pipe, but a ‘diverse’ pipe

The WNAN application spaceThe WNAN application space

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15-08-0457-00-0000The WNAN application spaceThe WNAN application space

Industrial process control needs to be robust – you can never have enough range.

With enough range, you have ubiquitous coverage.

When you have complete coverage, you must have a scalable technology

Which will not be used if it is not robust.

The 802.15.4 PHY and MAC need to be tailored to meet the WNAN technical requirements.

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WNAN – coexistence with standardsWNAN – coexistence with standards

3G / 4G

802.16

802.11

W-NAN

802.15.1

802.15.4

802.11

Faster – complex Faster - simple

Just Right

Pulls WAN backhaul ----- and enables huge HAN market

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WNAN – WNAN – has most synergy with 802.15.4has most synergy with 802.15.4

• Use 1W FHSS for part 15.247• 100kbps FSK = 220kHz BW Range now > 10km

• Packet size up to 2047 Bytes Carries IP packets compatibly

• FHSS and Slotted channel contention Robust - survives own success

• Power constraints unneeded• Processor constraints unneeded

802.15.4 PHY and MAC enhancements

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Thank YouThank You