DNCA: An efficient channel assignment for multi-interface multi-channel Ad Hoc wireless networks

The capacity of an IEEE 802.11-based multi-hop wireless network is limited. By effectively utilizing multiple non-overlapping channels and multiple interfaces, collision and co-channel interference can be reduced. This allows more concurrent transmissions and thus enhances the network throughput. In this paper, we introduce an efficient distributed negotiated channel assignment protocol, called DNCA. At each node, DNCA conducts a local optimization by greedy balancing the number of neighbors on each interface. By using DNCA, it does not require changes to higher-level protocols. We describe the design and implementation of DNCA, and analyze its performance using ns-3 network simulator. Our results show that DNCA provides much higher system capacity and lower end-to-end packet delay.