User's Manual

In a redundant and reliable mesh network, every stream of data packets
has multiple available paths to reach the base station, and the network
forwards the packets through the optimal path at any point in time. The
absence of any single point of failure increases its reliability compared to
any other transmission technology, either wireless or wired.
4.3 Point-to-Multipoint Architecture: FluidMAX™
Developing FluidMAX
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, Fluidmesh embraced the Point-to-Multipoint archi-
tecture improving its features and capabilities to meet the needs of
system integrators in the security and industrial automation indus-try.
The FluidMAX technology is based on a centralized Medium Access
Control (MAC) protocol and allows Fluidmesh customers to create point-to-
multipoint networks using the FM units.
With the FluidMAX technology, an FM unit can thus be used at the center
of the star topology in a point-to-multipoint fashion using sector antennas
or antenna splitters with multiple directional antennas. The unit operating
at the center of the star topology plays the role of Master and is in charge
of coordinating communications to an
d from the other units which thus act
as Slaves. As a result, the hidden and exposed terminal problems are
eliminated by the centralized FluidMAX MAC protocol which supports up
1
Patent pending.
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