Channel Allocation for Multiple Channels Multiple Interfaces Communication in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

A major drawback of multi-hop communication in ad hoc network is the bandwidth scarcity along the forwarding path of data packet. The main reason for the lack of bandwidth or the exponential reduction in the bandwidth is the contention for bandwidth between nodes along the path. In this paper we will demonstrate one way to overcome this problem through the use of multiple channels multiple interfaces (MCMI). We investigate different forwarding channel selection schemes for MCMI communication with Destination Sequenced Distance Vector protocol: same channel, random and round robin. Based on our analysis and simulation results we have shown that MCMI protocol significantly improves the channel capacity while maintaining low end-to-end delay. Forwarding channel selection policies play an important role in determining the performance of the MCMI. Among the channel assignment policies under study, round robin policy provides the best performance. The results provide a baseline for evaluating bandwidth of multiple channels multiple interfaces networks.