Channel Assignment in Dense MC-MR Wireless Networks: Scaling Laws and Algorithms

TL;DR

This paper explores optimal channel assignment strategies in dense MC-MR wireless networks, proposing algorithms that significantly improve per node throughput and analyzing the fundamental limits of such networks.

Contribution

It introduces new algorithms for channel assignment that optimize throughput in dense MC-MR networks and establishes fundamental relationships between throughput, channels, and network size.

Findings

Algorithms achieve near-optimal throughput performance.

Proposed methods scale with network size and transceiver constraints.

Fundamental throughput-channel-network size relationship identified.

Abstract

We investigate optimal channel assignment algorithms that maximize per node throughput in dense multichannel multi-radio (MC-MR) wireless networks. Specifically, we consider an MC-MR network where all nodes are within the transmission range of each other. This situation is encountered in many real-life settings such as students in a lecture hall, delegates attending a conference, or soldiers in a battlefield. In this scenario, we show that intelligent assignment of the available channels results in a significantly higher per node throughput. We first propose a class of channel assignment algorithms, parameterized by T (the number of transceivers per node), that can achieve $\Theta(1/N^{1/T})$ per node throughput using $\Theta(TN^{1-1/T})$ channels. In view of practical constraints on $T$, we then propose another algorithm that can achieve $\Theta(1/(\log_2 N)^2)$ per node throughput using only two transceivers per node. Finally, we identify a fundamental relationship between the achievable per node throughput, the total number of channels used, and the network size under any strategy. Using analysis and simulations, we show that our algorithms achieve close to optimal performance at different operating points on this curve. Our work has several interesting implications on the optimal network design for dense MC-MR wireless networks.