Run-time fuzzy optimization of IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs performance

Abstract

In this paper we focus on run-time optimization of the IEEE 802.11 protocol to improve its performance using a well-known fuzzy logic approach. Specifically, we derive the simple, and more accurate, approximation of the network contention level and the average size of contention window to maximize the theoretical throughput limit. In addition, we propose and evaluate a new distributed fuzzy contention control mechanism that is a modification of the asymptotically optimal backoff (AOB) mechanism using a fuzzy logic approach. The proposed mechanism can be used to extend the standard 802.11 access mechanism without requiring any additional hardware like the AOB mechanism. To verify efficiency of our mechanism, the performance of the IEEE 802.11 standard protocol with the AOB and the proposed mechanism are investigated through simulations. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.