Empirical Attenuation of Wireless Mesh Network Performance in Higher Education Environments: A University of Cape Coast Case Study

This paper presents a comprehensive, mixed-methods investigation into the performance attenuation of Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) during the transition from simulated environments to real-world deployments within the unique context of higher education institutions in emerging economies. Using the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana, as an in-depth case study, we quantify and analyse the significant discrepancies between NS3-based simulation forecasts and empirical field measurements across four critical dimensions: scalability, redundancy, coverage, and Quality of Service (QoS). Our findings reveal that synergistic environmental factors, including concrete-dominated infrastructure, coastal humidity, and dense foliage, attenuate theoretical network performance by up to 50%. Furthermore, while redundancy mechanisms demonstrate robustness in simulations, they are critically undermined by recurring operational constraints such as Fiber cuts, power instability, and limited maintenance capacity, reducing practical Uptime from a simulated 99.9% to 92.5% in basic setups. Beyond identification, this study contributes a novel, multi-tiered framework designed to mitigate this attenuation gap. This framework advocates for phased, pilot-based deployments, environment-aware network design incorporating UAV-assisted profiling, and a hybrid validation model that continuously integrates real-world data. The paper concludes with actionable, context-sensitive recommendations for researchers, network architects, and institutional policymakers operating in resource-constrained settings, emphasising cost-effective resilience and user-centric alignment of quality of service.