CROSS-LAYER OPTIMIZATION FOR SCHEDULING IN WIRELESS MESH NETWORKS

Abstract

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) can be considered as a new paradigm for multihop wireless communication. Due to their inherent flexibility for providing first mile connectivity to the Internet and=or acting as a wireless backhaul network segment, they have recently attracted a significant research interest. The aim of this chapter is twofold. Firstly, to discuss resource management schemes for WMNs from a cross-layer optimization approach and secondly, to formulate the corresponding mathematical programs that utilize such cross-layer information. The mixed integer linear programs that are investigated focus on collision-free link scheduling for WMNs based on spatial time division multiple access (STDMA). Numerical investigations and computational complexity aspects of these schemes for different network sizes and number of active links are also reported. These networks are still in the early stages of the technology learning curve concerning both deployment issues and aspects related to the optimal interaction between information in different layers of the protocol stack. To this end, we close the chapter by identifying and discussing open-ended research challenges.