Joint Channel Routing Assignment for Wireless Mesh Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless mesh networks face capacity reduction due to interference among multiple simultaneous transmissions, and existing heuristic approaches for channel and routing assignments do not result in optimal network performance, particularly in multi-radio wireless mesh networks with limited channels and radios.

Innovation Solution

A methodology for joint channel and routing assignments in multi-radio wireless mesh networks that accounts for interference constraints, the number of channels, and radios, using a constant factor approximation technique to maximize bandwidth allocation subject to fairness constraints, involving routing, channel assignment, post-processing, flow scaling, and interference-free link scheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple simultaneous transmissions are allowed to increase network capacity, then throughput is improved, but interference among transmissions increases and reduces capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless medium by assigning different channels to different transmissions. The joint channel assignment and routing algorithm divides the network into multiple channel groups, allowing simultaneous transmissions on different channels without interference, thus increasing throughput while managing interference through spatial and spectral segmentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic channel assignment where channel allocations are not fixed but adjusted based on network conditions, traffic demands, and interference patterns. The algorithm continuously optimizes channel-routing assignments to adapt to changing network states, enabling the system to maximize throughput while dynamically controlling interference levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If fixed channel assignment is used to simplify management, then ease of operation is improved, but network performance is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel assignment managementVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary joint optimization of channel assignment and routing together rather than sequentially. By computing both assignments simultaneously in advance based on network topology and traffic demands, the system achieves optimal performance while maintaining manageable complexity through a unified algorithmic approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the assignment parameters dynamically based on network conditions, traffic patterns, and interference measurements. Rather than using fixed assignments, the system adjusts channel-routing parameters to optimize performance for different operational scenarios while maintaining ease of management through automated algorithmic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If channel assignment and routing are optimized jointly for optimal performance, then throughput is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the joint optimization problem into manageable components by separating channel assignment from routing optimization while maintaining their interdependence through shared constraints. This segmented approach allows the use of specialized algorithms for each sub-problem, reducing overall computational complexity compared to treating the joint problem as a single monolithic optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary optimization framework that coordinates channel assignment and routing decisions. This intermediary layer translates between the two optimization dimensions, allowing them to be solved in a coordinated manner that achieves joint optimization performance while managing computational complexity through structured interaction between the two assignment processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7643469B2Method for channel assignment and routing for multi-radio wireless mesh networks

Publication Date: 2010.01.05 NOKIA OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

A methodology for making joint channel and routing assignments in multi-radio wireless mesh networks that takes into account interference constraints, the number of channels in a network and the number of radio available at each mesh router, and maximizes bandwidth allocation subject to fairness constraints. In particular, the methodology provides for routing, channel assignment and link scheduling in multi-radio mesh wireless networks utilizing a constant factor approximation technique that models the interference and fairness constraints and is able to account for the number of radios at each of the wireless nodes of a wireless mesh network.