Topology control for multi-channel multi-radio wireless mesh networks using directional antennas

Abstract

Directional antennas are widely used technologies for reducing signal interference and increasing spatial reuse. In this paper, we propose a topology control method for multi-channel multi-radio wireless mesh networks that use directional antennas. We are given a set of mesh routers installed in a region and some of them are gateway nodes that are connected to the Internet via wired lines. Each router has a traffic demand (Internet access traffic) generated from the end-users. The problem is how to adjust antenna orientations of radios and assign channels to them to construct a logical network topology, such that the minimum delivery ratio of traffic demands of routers is maximized. We first formulate the problem to an equivalent optimization problem with a clearer measurable metric, which is to minimize the largest interfering traffic of links in the network. We then propose a three-step solution to solve the problem. Firstly, we construct a set of routing trees, with the objective to balance the traffic among tree links. Secondly, we assign the radios of a node to the links it needs to serve, such that the total traffic load of the links that each radio serves is as balanced as possible. Thirdly, we do a fine-grained adjustment of antenna orientations and assign channels to them, such that the transmission area of each antenna will cover all the links it serves and the largest interfering traffic of links is minimized.

Study of Topology Optimization Algorithm of Wireless Mesh Backbone Networks based on Directional Antenna

“…Hiraku et al [10] analyzed the performance of WMN using sector antenna, noting that the problem, such as hidden and exposed terminal, "Deafness", which is due to the use of directional antennas could be solved by using sector antenna. Liu et al [11] proposed a topology control method for multi-channel multi-radio wireless mesh networks that use directional antennas. A similar structure is proposed in [12] under the 802.11s standards.…”

On Modeling and Analysis of MIMO Wireless Mesh Networks with Triangular Overlay Topology

“…In the past decade, most efforts in WMN topology were focused on interference and performance in planar meshes [6][7][8][9]. With geographical information from satellite or control channel communications, it is relatively easy to acquire a planar topology since the nodes in WMNs are almost static.…”

“…The topology-based modeling approach has been commonly used in wireless networks for various purposes, but often in a planar view [8,12,14], and most of the discussions on scheduling, routing, and channel assignment are also based on a planar topology [6,11,13,17]. The recent development of MIMO WMNs calls for a suitable model to describe MIMO-specific properties and understand the cooperative activities across different interfaces over multiple channels [20].…”

An overview of topology control mechanisms in multi-radio multi-channel wireless mesh networks

“…The problem is then solved to acquire topology, channel assignment, interface allocation and routing decisions. In [52], Liu et al proposed a topology control method for MR-MC WMNs with directional antennas. The proposed three-step solution starts by constructing a set of routing trees and seeks to balance the traffic among the tree links.…”

“…Finally, it performs channel assignment and antenna orientation to minimize interference while covering all the intended neighbors of the node. Based on the method proposed in [52], the authors in [53] presented an improved version of topology control algorithm. In [53], the routing tree construction algorithm is improved in the first step of the solution in [52].…”