DISTRIBUTED DYNAMIC CHANNEL SELECTION IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

摘要

In one embodiment, a first node among a number of distributed nodes capable of forming or reforming a communication network among the distributed nodes, each of the nodes including functionally similar components for forming or reforming such a network, includes a memory for storing values for variables for the node. The first node also includes one or more components collectively operable to:(1) spontaneously and independent of a centralized controller associated with t he network, transmit a probe message to one or more of the other nodes for purposes of forming or reforming a network; (2) receive a probe message from a second node, the probe message including values for the variables for the second node; (3) compare the values for the variables for the first node to the values for the variables for the second node within the probe message to determine, independent of a centralized controller associated with the network, whether the first node should set itself to a new channel; and (4) if so, set the first node to the new channel. The variables for the nodes comprise: a switch count variable, which reflects the number of times that the node has changed (switch over) a channel, and a home channel variable identifying whether the node currently has a home channel on which the node communicates with other nodes. Said variables are exchanged and compared to provide for a more efficient switch of a channel for the node itself and for the network in the whole. The network itself can be an adhoc network (IBSS network of 802.11, for instance), an hyper lan or a self-organising network without a central controller.