Interference-Aware Channel Assignment for On-demand Routing Protocols in Multi-radio Multi-channel Wireless Mesh Networks

Abstract

Intra- and Inter-flow interferences are the principal causes of network utilization degradation in MR-MC (Multi-Radio Multi-Channel) wireless mesh networks. To minimize these interferences, we propose in this paper a channel assignment algorithm and incorporate it in an on-demand routing protocol called the HCARP (Hybrid Channel Assignment Routing Protocol). In addition, HCARP uses load balancing in route discovery to avoid "hot-spots" with severe interference and to find a route satisfying QoS requirements of the incoming flows. Simulation results and test bed experiments demonstrate that intra- and interflow interferences can be mitigated significantly and the overall network throughput is improved considerably. In addition, our algorithm outperforms the one based on superimposed code if the strength of the superimposed code is less than the interferer number of a node. Our simulation results show that HCARP has the capability of circumventing congested areas in the network and enhancing the QoS support for bandwidth-intensive traffic.