Loss Differentiated Rate Adaptation in Wireless Networks

Data rate adaptation is the process to select the optimal data rates for instantaneous channel conditions. This paper proposes a data rate adaptation technique that poses following traits: (1) it uses the periodical IEEE 802.11 beacons; (2) moreover, it distinguishes packet losses due to channel fading from those due to collisions and take actions appropriate for each type of loss; (3) in addition, it introduces the lowest data rate retransmission for the very first retransmission after packet loss. In traditional strategies, after a packet loss, retransmissions are often attempted with the same data rate. This work analytically shows that retransmitting at the lowest data rate is more efficient, especially in poor SNR environment or when there is no knowledge of the loss cause (channel degradation or transmission collision). This scheme, dubbed Loss Differentiated Rate Adaptation (LDRA), is extensively evaluated through simulations and shown to perform better especially when networ...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: WCNC
• Authors: Saad Biaz, Shaoen Wu
• Keywords: Data Rate, Data Rate Adaptation, Rate Adaptation, WCNC 2008, Wireless Networks