A dynamic channel assignment strategy based on cross-layer design for wireless mesh networks

In wireless mesh networks (WMNs), if nonoverlapped channels or partially overlapped channels are used properly, the throughput can be improved drastically. However, the number of nonoverlapped channels is limited in wireless communication standards. An effective channel assignment algorithm for a WMN is necessary to increase the utilization rate of space and nonoverlapped channels. Static channel assignment algorithms can improve network throughput, but their accuracies are not satisfactory in common scenarios. Dynamic channel assignment algorithms can allocate channels according to the status of adjacent links in WMNs. A dynamic channel assignment algorithm needs cross-layer design to get the information of routing. A routing-information-aware channel assignment algorithm based on a cross-layer design is proposed, which is named R-CA. The proposed method can dynamically allocate channels for wireless nodes when they need communication and release channels after data transmission. In R-CA, limited channel resources can be used efficiently by more wireless nodes, and hence the communication throughput can be improved. Simulation results show that our channel allocation strategy can effectively ensure and enhance the network throughput and packet delivery rate in WMNs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.