Coding-aware MAC: Providing channel access priority for network coding with reverse direction DCF in IEEE 802.11-based wireless networks

Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/reportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Raul Palacios - , University of Trento (Author)
  • Fabrizio Granelli - , University of Trento (Author)
  • Achuthan Paramanathan - , Aalborg University (Author)
  • Janus Heide - , Steinwurf ApS (Author)
  • Frank H.P. Fitzek - , Aalborg University (Author)

Abstract

An important challenge for the implementation of network coding in IEEE 802.11-based wireless networks is to give additional priority for channel access to the relay stations responsible for coding. These relay stations are able to provide more information in a single transmission than those that forward single packets, hence improving throughput and energy efficiency. The Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) of the IEEE 802.11 standard is a contention-based Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that provides an equal distribution of channel access opportunities for all competing stations. However, the relay station represents a congestion point and additional transmission slots should be assigned to it to increase the overall network performance. To address this issue we investigate a coding-aware MAC protocol, called Reverse Direction DCF (RD-DCF), which enables bidirectional communications between the relay station and another station with a single channel access invocation. This simple and backwards compatible mechanism allows the relay station to transmit a coded packet together with the acknowledgement immediately after receiving a data packet. The simulation results show a gain of up to 130% in terms of both throughput and energy efficiency for RD-DCF with network coding when compared to DCF.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2014 IEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2014
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages1272-1277
Number of pages6
ISBN (print)9781479920037
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Conference

Title2014 1st IEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2014
Duration10 - 14 June 2014
CitySydney, NSW
CountryAustralia

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas