Two-tier framework for channel acquisition in public wireless LANs

Recently, hot spots served by public area wireless networks (PAWNs) have been proposed as cost-effective complementary infrastructures to third-generation cellular systems. PAWNs are base-station-oriented wireless LANs, offering tens of megabits per second to public or private hot spot users. Since PAWNs operate in the unlicensed spectrum, channel control methodologies are needed to overcome potential interference conditions. Also, to meet the requirements of future wireless applications, their deployment should take into account quality of service requirements and the fluctuations of network traffic. These issues are addressed here, and a centralized two-tier dynamic resource reservation framework suitable for PAWN deployments is proposed and analyzed.