In this paper, we study high reliability, low latency and cost effective network planning for industrial wireless mesh networks. Based on the requirements of routing reliability, minimum end-to-end delay and reduced deployment cost in wireless mesh networks, such as WirelessHART network, we propose three network planning approaches following the principles of the shortest hops, the least routers and balance of the shortest hops and the least routers, respectively. We then implement the proposed algorithms respectively to generate the network deployment for a given factory layout. Simulation results show that there exists a performance trade-off between these three algorithms. The proposed algorithms have also been implemented and validated in an NS-2 WirelessHART network simulator.

In this paper, we study automated network planning for industrial wireless mesh networks. Based on the requirements of routing reliability in WirelessHART network, we propose two network planning approaches following the principles of the shortest hops and the least routers, respectively. We then implement them in Algorithms 1 and 2 respectively to automatically generate the network deployment for a given factory layout. Simulation results show that there exists a performance tradeoff between the two algorithms. The proposed algorithms have also been implemented and validated in an NS-2 WirelessHART network simulation.