Mesh Networking in Smart City Technology

By Chris Conti (Feb 1, 2019)

2019 is an unprecedented time in contemporary world history. Global power dynamics are shifting dramatically as the economic and political wheel seems to turn daily. Population demographics are rapidly changing as the UN reports that more than 3 million people are moving to urban areas on a weekly basis. China alone will have 221 cities with more than 1M people by 2025. Technology has advanced and connected the world in ways that would have sounded impossible 20 years ago. Empirical data about consumption and climate impact is being dismissed as fake news. The question is no longer “Is Smart City Technology is necessary?”, but “What are the best Smart City Solutions?”. Our answer is Mesh Networks.

Smart City Solutions and How To Find Them

When it comes to finding solutions for smart city technology, one size does not fit all. Different cities come with different challenges, each requiring individual solutions. However, the one constant is using connected infrastructure and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance the lives of the citizens who live there. For example, Orbis Mesh is located in Vancouver, Canada and over the past decade the city has slowly become more and more connected. Whether it’s smart parking meters, wireless bike sharing, or a free city-wide Wi-Fi, the city is moving in a clear direction, as evidenced by the city investing resources to become the frontrunner of a 50-million-dollar governmental grant for Canadian Smart City growth.

But what happens when the majority of a city’s infrastructure becomes connected to a cloud? That’s when things can get tricky. If you have every traffic light, gas meter, water treatment plant, HVAC system, warehouse pallet, energy grid, or garbage bin connected, each one of them needs to have an access point to the cloud. Those aren’t even considering all the connected appliances in businesses or homes. For this system to be effective it requires a powerful, inexpensive, stable and efficient solution that is customizable to any device. This is where mesh networking comes in.

How Mesh Network Topology Works

The topology of mesh networks is quite simple. Rather than each individual node or sensor directly connecting to the cloud, the nodes connect to each other, creating a vast, self-sustaining and self-configuring stream of information where a minimal number of nodes are needed to directly connect with the cloud for information to be transmitted. When infrastructure such as irrigation systems in public parks are connected, automated commands can help reduce water waste costs by up to 60%. In that same park the connected street lights can use the same network to transfer data on energy consumption, ambient light levels, and the amount of vehicle or foot traffic can be transmitted instantly. Implementing mesh into these systems allows the individual pieces to work in unison while actively transmitting and automating. This isn’t just theory, Barcelona is currently reaping the benefits of a 30-year project that uses technology that is similar to IoT in 60% of their public parks and saves on annum €425,000 in irrigation costs alone.

How To Connect Mesh Networks

One of the central questions around Mesh Networking is what type of connection will be used between nodes or access points? There is a push from telecommunications companies to use cellular options such as LTE-M. While these networks are low energy, municipalities will need to rely on a telecommunication company for the use of these systems and will also need to consider air time charges when using the network. Depending on what rates are set at and the range requested, those costs could be quite punitive.

ACiiST Solutions

When it comes to Mesh Networks, wireless solutions with less cabling are easier, quicker and more efficient to install. Many wireless solutions can get jammed with interference generations, however ACiiST’s solution is installed on existing infrastructure, making it easy to implement, cost-effective and can handle all of smart city application needs.

We install small devices on existing light posts to expand the network. Our solution is the most reliable, cost-effective and easy to maintain option on the market. Plus, it is very easy to install and synchronize across the network.

Our solution is highly secure, plus it has a high-bandwidth and automatic load-balancing and automatic redundancy. And, since light posts are always on, the power source is available 24/7. Plus, our solution is weatherproof and can withhold even the most severe environmental conditions.

Since it is installed on existing light posts, set up is easy, requires no additional infrastructure, and all within a short amount of time compared to other solutions. It also provides power, has a high latency 100 times better compared to a routing-based solution, and is wireless so that it requires less cabling. Plus, we have already started implementing this solution in several smart cities. The future of new technologies in border control is not far away.

Contact Us For More Information

Municipalities and Governments need an infrastructure that can support scalable growth, remain secure, and all at a reasonable timeline and budget. By using existing city infrastructure, ACiiST makes it as simple as possible to implement a Mesh Networking in the smart city system.