Distributed Wireless Channel Allocation in Cellular Systems with Mobile Base Stations

Most existing models describe a mobile computing system as a network of mobile nodes and stationary nodes [3]. The geographical area served by the mobile computing system is divided into regions referred to as cells. Each cell has a xed base station referred to as the mobile support station (MSS). The mobile support stations are connected to each other by a xed wireline network. Several mobile nodes, referred to as mobile hosts (MHs), may be present in a cell. A mobile host can communicate with other nodes in the system only through the MSS of the cell in which it is present. The MH-MSS communication link is wireless. In their present form, mobile computing systems based on cellular architecture are either entirely unacceptable or less than suitable for a variety of scenarios, e:g:, battle eld and emergency response operations. Battle eld: Fixed nodes are attractive targets, therefore highly vulnerable, in a battle eld. The destruction of such a node acting as the communication hub and proxy for a number of mobile hosts will disrupt several communication sessions. Moreover, movement of troops (MHs in the present context) in a battle eld is highly unpredictable. As troops move from one place to another, their communication network needs to move with them as well. A system containing nodes that are designed to be stationary will not be able to adapt to this dynamic nature. A better alternative is to have base stations (MSSs) mounted on mobile platforms like helicopters and tanks. As the troops move these platforms may change their formation to provide the best possible coverage to the infantry (mobile hosts). Another battle eld scenario is the air-dropping of a group of paratroopers behind enemy lines and a quick establishment of a wireless mobile communication network among them. Once again, the base stations need to be mobile. Emergency response operations: Search and rescue missions in the wake of natural disasters or terrorist attacks require that the communication system be deployed quickly. If the coverage area is small, existing wireless communication systems that employ broadcasting are suitable. However, broadcasting with enough power to cover the entire eld of operation is not a scalable option when