Comparisons of channel assignment algorithms for wireless mesh networks

Capacity of wireless mesh networks can be expanded by adding more radios to mesh routers for accessing non-overlapping channels for communications among them. Channel assignment algorithms are important to improve the overall system performance. In this paper, three popular algorithms are reviewed, and they are tabu-based, load-aware (LACA), max-flow (MCAR) channel assignment algorithms. Their performances are evaluated based on randomly generated traffic patterns on two wireless mesh network topologies using 802.11 protocol. Our simulation results have shown that the MCAR algorithm provides a higher system throughput than the tabu-based and LACA algorithms.