Dynamic channel selection with snooping for multi-channel multi-hop wireless networks

The dynamic channel selection mechanism used in existing multi-channel MAC protocols selects an idle data channel based on channel usage information from one-hop neighbor nodes. However, this method can cause multi-channel hidden node problem in multi-hop wireless networks. This letter proposes a new approach to channel selection. Nodes snoop data channels during idle times and then select an idle data channel within the carrier sensing range using both the snooping results and the channel usage information. Our simulation results verify that the proposed channel selection approach can effectively avoid the multi-channel hidden node problem and improve the networkwide performance.