Optimization model for static channel assignment in multi-radio multi-channel wireless mesh networks

Abstract

Equipping each node with multiple radios can substantially increase the capacity of wireless mesh networks, because in that way neighbor links can be assigned distinct channels to avoid interference. However, the aggregate network interference still may not be sufficiently reduced due to a rough channel assignment. This paper focuses on the static channel assignment issue of multi-radio multi-channel wireless mesh networks. We propose an integer quadratic programming (IQP) model to minimize the average network interference and use this model to study the impact of radio and channel constraints. Our model considers different data transfer rates of distinct links and simulation results show it can effectively reduce the network interference. Simulation results also reveal that equipping each node with small number of radios might be sufficient for reducing the network interference, which provides a guideline of radio equipment in such networks.