A Model for Analyzing the Performance of Wireless Multi-Hop Networks using a Contention-based CSMA/CA Strategy

• Sajid M. Sheikh,
• Riaan Wolhuter,
• Herman A. Engelbrecht,

Vol. 11, No. 5, May 30, 2017
10.3837/tiis.2017.05.011, Download Paper (Free):

• Queue Model
• Markov model
• End-to-End Delay
• Scheduling
• Absorbing state
• CSMA/CA

Abstract

Multi-hop networks are a low-setup-cost solution for enlarging an area of network coverage through multi-hop routing. Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) is frequently used in multi-hop networks. Multi-hop networks face multiple problems, such as a rise in contention for the medium, and packet loss under heavy-load, saturated conditions, which consumes more bandwidth due to re-transmissions. The number of re-transmissions carried out in a multi-hop network plays a major role in the achievable quality of service (QoS). This paper presents a statistical, analytical model for the end-to-end delay of contention-based medium access control (MAC) strategies. These strategies schedule a packet before performing the back-off contention for both differentiated heterogeneous data and homogeneous data under saturation conditions. The analytical model is an application of Markov chain theory and queuing theory. The M/M/1 model is used to derive access queue waiting times, and an absorbing Markov chain is used to determine the expected number of re-transmissions in a multi-hop scenario. This is then used to calculate the expected end-to-end delay. The prediction by the proposed model is compared to the simulation results, and shows close correlation for the different test cases with different arrival rates.

Statistics

Cite this article