Partially Overlapping Channel Assignment Using Bonded and Non-Bonded Channels in IEEE 802.11n WLAN

Nowadays, wireless local area network (WLAN) has become prevalent Internet access due to its low-cost gadgets, flexible coverage and hassle-free simple wireless installation. WLAN facilitates wireless Internet services to users with mobile devices like smart phones, tablets, and laptops through deployment of multiple access points (APs) in a network field. Every AP operates on a frequency band called channel. Popular wireless standard such as IEEE 802.11n has a limited number of channels where frequency spectrum of adjacent channels overlaps partially with each other. In a crowded environment, users may experience poor Internet services due to channel collision i.e., interference from surrounding APs that affects the performance of the WLAN system. Therefore, it becomes a challenge to maintain expected performance in a crowded environment. A mathematical model of throughput considering interferences from surrounding APs can play an important role to set up a WLAN system properly. While set up, assignment of channels considering interference can maximize network performance. In this paper, we investigate the signal propagation of APs under interference of partially overlapping channels for both bonded and non-bonded channels. Then, a throughput estimation model is proposed using difference of operating channels and received signal strength indicator (RSSI). Then, a channel assignment algorithm is introduced using proposed throughput estimation model. Finally, the efficiency of the proposal is verified by numerical experiments using simulator. The results show that the proposal selects the best channel combination of bonded and non-bonded channels that maximize the performance.