Tropos Networks has upgraded its WLAN mesh networking gear to handle 5 GHz router-to-router connections. The move brings Tropos on par with some of its competitors’ multi-band mesh equipment, but Tropos is claiming its technology goes one step further, allowing the network to dynamically switch between frequencies to maintain the highest capacity signal.

While Tropos has seen a lot of early success with its first mesh router iteration, which used the same 2.4 GHz for both mesh backhaul and client access links, other vendors like BelAir Networks and Strix began making gains with dual-radio gear. A dual-radio mesh router has the advantages of additional capacity on both the access side and on the mesh backhaul side. Typically a dual-radio will use the higher-capacity 5 GHz bands to backhaul data between a mesh access point and the non-line-of-site, greater-ranged 2.4 GHz band to reach individual users. The set-up has the added benefit of designating the entire 2.4 GHz radio for access, since backhaul is handled by the separate radio.

Instead of designating specific radios for the backhaul and mesh, the Tropos 5320 outdoor MetroMesh router’s new operating system can dynamically switch between the two, using the high-capacity 5 GHz band when conditions are optimal, but shifting down to the 2.4 GHz radio when interference issues emerge. Furthermore the same OS upgrades can be used to add more bands and air interface options in the future, including WiMAX and possibly 3G.

Tropos said that its 2.4 GHz gear still has quite a few legs as exemplified by its deployment in municipal networks across the world, including in major cities like San Francisco, Philadelphia and New Orleans. But Tropos officials said the new dual-radio multi-mode router would give its customers many more options, especially in high-traffic areas where more capacity and better performance is needed.

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