In multi-hop wireless networks, communication between two end nodes is carred out through a number of intermediate nodes whose function is to relay information from one point to another. In the last few years, many research works have focused on multi-hop "ad hoc" networks, in which relaying nodes are in general mobile, and communication needs are primarily between nodes within the same network.

In contrast, an increasing number of multi-hop wireless deployments and proprietary commercial solutions have focused on a class of networks termed "mesh networks." Unlike ad hoc networks, mesh networks serve as access networks that employ multi-hop wireless forwarding by non-mobile nodes to relay traffic to and from the wireline Internet. In such an environment, hybrid technologies and/or hierarchical network organization can be used for differentiating wireless access from wireless infrastructure links; power consumption is not a primary concern as relaying nodes are fixed and wire-powered; traffic patterns may be asymmetric and, rather than involving pairs of end-nodes, mostly involve communication to and from wired gateways. Moreover, provisioning of high network capacity, service differentiation support, and secure and reliable communication are critical topics for such access networks.

The goal of this issue is to collect cutting edge research achievements in the field of mesh networks. We solicit papers that, rather than generically addressing multi-hop wireless networks, specifically deal with research issues arising in wireless mesh network environments. The scope of this issue includes all aspects of mesh networks, including network architecture, protocol design and analysis, algorithms for resource allocation and routing, performance analysis, error control, system implementation and measurement, cross layer design, etc. We are seeking papers that describe original and unpublished contributions. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• Homogeneous/heterogeneous mesh network architectures
• Capacity and scalability issues in mesh networks
• Network autoconfiguration and/or planning solutions
• Interworking between mesh networks of different logical domains
• Cross-layer design
• Medium access control (MAC) schemes
• Error control schemes
• Routing
• QoS support
• Security
• Use of advanced antenna technologies (MIMO, beam forming, etc.)
• Broadcasting and multicasting
• Performance analysis
• Wireless mesh network testbed design and measurements

Prospective authors should follow the IEEE J-SAC manuscript format described in the Information for Authors. Authors MUST submit their draft manuscripts through the EDAS peer review website, together with a short abstract (approximately 150 words in the EDAS website form. Please note potential authors should create their own accounts through the EDAS peer review website before submitting manuscript(s). EDAS will accept manuscript in PDF format only.

The review process will be based on a pre-review phase, devised to screen papers out of the goals of the CFP, and a single round of technical reviews. Acceptance will be limited to those papers requiring only moderate revisions. The following timetable applies: