Systems and methods for making channel assignments to reduce interference and increase capacity of wireless networks

A method for assigning channels in a wireless system, said method comprising:

• determining at a given point in time in interfering cells which mobile stations (MSs) in each said cell are communicating with the highest signal strength;
• and
• assigning channels to said MSs based on said determined signal strength;
• in one of said cells making the channel assignment such that preferred MSs are assigned to certain channels and in the interfering cell said certain channels are reserved.

A wireless system comprising:

• at least two BSs each defining a cell, said BSs using an N=1 repeat pattern;
• means for determining relative signal strength among MSs communicating with each said BS;
• and
• means for assigning MSs according to a pattern designed to minimize interference between MSs in each of said cells using the same channels;
• and
• means for assigning an order to said channels in each said cell such that in one cell the weakest signal strength MSs are assigned from one end of said channel order and the strongest signal strength MSs are assigned from the other end of said channel order.