Dynamic Channel Assignment for Mesh Backhaul Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless mesh networks, throughput decreases significantly due to interference from neighboring mesh Access Points, and existing solutions face challenges in dynamic channel assignment, leading to high complexity and channel switching overhead.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic channel assignment scheme that utilizes a transceiver and channel assignment logic to acquire collision domain data, calculate a cost function based on the number of access points, and assign backhaul channels to minimize the number of weighted nodes sharing a channel within a collision domain, considering traffic load, network topology, and interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If dynamic channel assignment is implemented in mesh networks, then network adaptability and throughput are improved, but system complexity and channel switching overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidchannel assignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh access points autonomously perform channel scanning, collision domain identification, and cost function calculation without centralized control. Each node independently determines its optimal channel based on local collision domain information, eliminating the need for complex centralized coordination while adapting dynamically to network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-identifies collision domains and calculates cost functions before final channel assignment. By performing these preparatory calculations in advance based on network topology and traffic patterns, the system reduces real-time decision complexity and enables faster channel selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If more access points are added to the network, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but interference and throughput degradation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of access pointsVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into collision domains based on spatial relationships and interference patterns. By identifying and separating collision domains, the system can assign different channels to different domains, allowing more access points to coexist without mutual interference while maintaining network capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each access point is assigned channels based on its local collision domain characteristics rather than uniform network-wide assignment. This localized approach optimizes channel allocation for each specific area, reducing interference between neighboring access points while accommodating higher overall network density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2206376B1Channel assignment for a multi-channel dual-radio mesh backhaul
Publication Date: 2011.04.27 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2206376B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2206376B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2206376B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In an example embodiment, a method for determining backhaul channel assignments for multi-channel dual radio mesh nodes. The method comprises acquiring collision domain data for each access point of an associated mesh network. A cost function is calculated for each access point of the associated mesh network, the cost function assigning a weighted value for each access point in a collision domain based on a number of access points in the collision domain. Backhaul channel assignments for selected for each access point that minimizes the cost function.