Distributed on demand channel selection in multi channel, multi interface wireless mesh networks

In this paper we present a protocol performing on demand distributed channel selection in multi channel, multi interface wireless mesh networks, based on the exchange of control messages. The link based channel reservation happens almost instantly when data traffic is sent through the network, and does not require long term traffic profiles or measurements. The protocol is both simulated and implemented using the IEEE 802.11b/gg protocol. We show that in a raster topology, the protocol successfully optimizes the local spectrum usage at 87% of the nodes, and that globally, an equal amount of links is allocated to each of the channels used for the transport of data packets