Interference-Aware Channel Assignment in Multi-Radio Wireless Mesh Networks

— The capacity problem in wireless mesh networks can be alleviated by equipping the mesh routers with multiple radios tuned to non-overlapping channels. However, channel assignment presents a challenge because co-located wireless networks are likely to be tuned to the same channels. The resulting increase in interference can adversely affect performance. This paper presents an interference-aware channel assignment algorithm and protocol for multi-radio wireless mesh networks that address this interference problem. The proposed solution intelligently assigns channels to radios to minimize interference within the mesh network and between the mesh network and co-located wireless networks. It utilizes a novel interference estimation technique implemented at each mesh router. An extension to the conflict graph model, the multi-radio conflict graph, is used to model the interference between the routers. We demonstrate our solution’s practicality through the evaluation of a prototype im...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: INFOCOM
• Authors: Krishna N. Ramachandran, Elizabeth M. Belding-Royer, Kevin C. Almeroth, Milind M. Buddhikot
• Keywords: Co-located Wireless Networks, Communications, INFOCOM 2006, Mesh Network, Wireless Mesh Networks