Analytical Modelling and Performability Evaluation of Multi-Channel WLANs with Global Failures

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) which are based on IEEE 802.11 standard are used widely in existing local area network configurations. IEEE 802.11 offers multiple non-overlapping channels to increase the capacity of the network. There are strong evidences that WLANs are prone to impairments. In order to improve the quality of service (QoS) and to evaluate the performance of WLANs realistically, the availability of the systems should be considered. This paper studies performability evaluation of a multi-channel WLAN using analytical modelling approach. Unlike the existing studies, the failures of the overall system, where a critical function unit fails making all the channels unavailable are considered. A new term is introduced as global failures. It is possible to solve the models considered using matrix geometric method where system parameters and minimal non negative solution R is computed by an iterative method. However spectral expansion method is a well-known alternative where the iterative calculations for solving R is avoided using eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The exact spectral expansion method is employed to obtain performability measures such as mean queue length and blocking probability. Iterative refinements are employed in solution of simultaneous equations

Improving the Performance of Wireless LANs

This book quantifies the key factors of WLAN performance and describes methods for improvement. It provides theoretical background and empirical results for the optimum planning and deployment of indoor WLAN systems, explaining the fundamentals while supplying guidelines for design, modeling, and performance evaluation. It discusses environmental effects on WLAN systems, protocol redesign for routing and MAC, and traffic distribution; examines emerging and future network technologies; and includes radio propagation and site measurements, simulations for various network design scenarios, numerous illustrations, practical examples, and learning aids