An optimization framework for multicasting in MCMR wireless mesh network with partially overlapping channels

This paper focuses on the problem of maximizing throughput in multicast routing in Multi-Channel, Multi-Radio (MCMR) wireless mesh network. We propose an optimization framework based on binary integer programming that minimizes interference in multicast communication. Our Multicasting with multiple Gateways and Partially Overlapped Channels (MG-POC) framework utilizes a rational node selection to construct multicast tree that increases network performance. MG-POC is efficient as it (1) constructs the paths between source and receivers with minimal number of data forwarding nodes; (2) employs multiple gateways to substantially reduce interference and usage of resources; (3) benefits from wireless broadcast advantage and partially overlapped channels in channel assignment; (4) solves channel assignment and tree construction problems simultaneously. A weakly decoupled approach is also presented which finds a nearly optimal solution for large network problems in a reasonably short amount of time. Our schemes are proved to offer a connected and loop-free tree; and their performance are well compared to that of several existing methods on different simulation scenarios. The results of our simulations also demonstrate that incorporating multi-gateway and partially overlapping channels has a significant impact on minimizing network interference which, in turn, dramatically enhances network throughput.