Analytical modeling of bidirectional multi-channel IEEE 802.11 MAC protocols

• Published in: International journal of communication systems 2011-05, Vol.24 (5), p.647-665
• Main Authors: Gupta, Vandana, Gong, Mingwei, Dharmaraja, S., Williamson, Carey
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Channels; Communication systems; Computer simulation; delay; IEEE 802.11 MAC protocols; M/G/1 queue; Mathematical analysis; Networks; Scheduling; stochastic reward net; Strategy; TCP (protocol); throughput; wireless ad hoc networks
• ISSN: 1074-5351; 1099-1131; 1099-1131
• DOI: 10.1002/dac.1183

This paper presents an analytical approach to model the bi‐directional multi‐channel IEEE 802.11 MAC protocols (Bi‐MCMAC) for ad hoc networks. Extensive simulation work has been done for the performance evaluation of IEEE 802.11 MAC protocols. Since simulation has several limitations, this work is primarily based on the analytical approach. The objective of this paper is to show analytically the performance advantages of Bi‐MCMAC protocol over the classical IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol. The distributed coordination function (DCF) mode of medium access control (MAC) is considered in the modeling. Two different channel scheduling strategies, namely, random channel selection and fastest channel first selection strategy are also presented in the presence of multiple channels with different transmission rates. M/G/1 queue is used to model the protocols, and stochastic reward nets (SRNs) are employed as a modeling technique as it readily captures the synchronization between events in the DCF mode of access. The average system throughput, mean delay, and server utilization of each MAC protocol are evaluated using the SRN formalism. We also validate our analytical model by comparison with simulation results. The results obtained through the analytical modeling approach illustrate the performance advantages of Bi‐MCMAC protocols with the fastest channel first scheduling strategy over the classical IEEE 802.11 protocol for TCP traffic in wireless ad hoc networks. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This paper presents an analytical approach to model the bi‐directional multi‐channel IEEE 802.11 MAC (Bi‐MCMAC) protocols for ad hoc networks via stochastic reward nets. The objective is to show the performance advantages of Bi‐MCMAC protocol over the classical IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol. Two different channel scheduling strategies are also presented in the presence of multiple channels with different transmission rates. The average system throughput, mean delay, and server utilization of each MAC protocol are evaluated using the SRN formalism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.