Tomas Cuzanauskas

Multi-polling game for IEEE 802.11 networks

IEEE 802.11 is one of the most common technologies these days. Due to its simplicity and easy integration in various applications its usage in recent years has grown exponentially [1]. The increasing amount of wireless devices and various applications such as WBAN (Wireless Body Area Networks), WISPs (Wireless internet service provides) have increased the interference in unlicensed band, which reduced the total system capacity. Recently the highly acclaimed version of IEEE 802.11ac with additional modulation capabilities was released. However, the basic idea and Media Access Control (MAC) layer methods were left the same. Therefore, there is a need for more efficient MAC layer protocol for usage both for currently existing IEEE 802.11n and for new IEEE 802.11ac standards. In this paper, we will do a case study Hybrid Carrier Sense Multiple Access Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) and Polling Mechanism in currently existing IEEE 802.11n MAC layer implementation possibilities. Since the main problem usually occurs on software implementation, by using already available Wi-Fi hardware in paper, we will consider various methods to bypass the limitations of already existing CSMA/CA protocol. Also, we will review the arising problems and currently available implementations of IEEE 802.11 improvements. Due to the dynamics of wireless environment, we also will test a Game Theory as a possible solution for interactions between different wireless nodes connected to the Access Point.

Activity dependent power allocation algorithm for IEEE 802.11 networks

IEEE 802.11 has become one of the most used wireless access technologies amongst home users and Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs). Thanks to flexible use and easy deployment the amount of equipment grew exponentially. However, the growing number of wireless devices both at user premises and in WISPs infrastructure leads to increased interference, which reduces the total effective capacity of overused wireless medium. Several new features were adapted in recently released IEEE 802.11ac to address that trend. Nevertheless, 802.11ac still possess the same medium access control mechanisms as used in the first 802.11-generation protocol. This paper proposes an activity dependent power allocation algorithm for IEEE 802.11 networks, which would allow increasing throughput of IEEE 802.11 networks and their radio spectrum use efficiency. The proposed concept utilizes a modified Point Coordination Function mechanism with added power control functionality based on game-theoretic foundations. With the proposed algorithm the Point Coordinator will be able to provide better control of different channel utilization levels and manage power levels of terminal stations in real-time.