Abstract: A system and method for efficiently assigning a plurality of channels among a plurality of nodes in a radio communications system. For each node in the system, a buffer zone is established. The members of a particular node's buffer zone are that subset of the plurality of nodes in the system that are prohibited from using a channel simultaneously with the particular node. When a particular node is in need of a channel assignment, the system will assign a channel to the particular node from a subset of channels that excludes channels assigned to nodes within the particular channel's buffer zone. A co-channel zone is for each particular node is also established which includes a subset of the plurality of nodes that is near the particular node, but excludes nodes outside the particular node's buffer zone.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently assigning a plurality of channels among a plurality of nodes in a radio communications system. For each node in the system, a buffer zone is established. The members of a particular node's buffer zone are that subset of the plurality of nodes in the system that are prohibited from using a channel simultaneously with the particular node. When a particular node is in need of a channel assignment, the system will assign a channel to the particular node from a subset of channels that excludes channels assigned to nodes within the particular channel's buffer zone. A co-channel zone is for each particular node is also established which includes a subset of the plurality of nodes that is near the particular node, but excludes nodes outside the particular node's buffer zone.