Performance Evaluation of WLANs

We present a novel tool for analyzing the performance of CSMA/CA-based WLANs. Built on a scalable and conceptually simple performance model, the tool accurately estimates the radio channel access rate of each Access Point (AP) based on its individual load and a conflict graph representing contention relationships among APs.

Context

Wireless LANs (WLANs) are an integral part of our daily lives, yet their performance often remains difficult to predict. This is largely due to the complex interactions between Access Points (APs) governed by the CSMA/CA protocol, which controls access to the shared radio channel.


Our tools models these interactions using a conflict graph G, where:


  • Vertices represent APs.
  • Edges indices mutual contention between APs (i.e., they can detect each other’s transmissions).

By specifying the conflict graph and the load at each AP, our tool estimates the channel access rate for each AP in the network.


Input Parameters

  • G: The conflict graph, consisting of APs and the edges representing contention relationships.
  • ρv: The normalized load at AP v, defined as the ratio of the frame arrival rate to the physical data.

Output Parameters

  • uv: The channel access rate of AP v, defined as the rate of successfully transmitted frames divided by the channel capacity C.

Authors

  • Tool development: anonymized
  • Website development: anonymized

Associated Publications

  • Performance Modeling of Radio Access in Unsaturated WLANs. In submission.