Optimal Throughput Analysis for Indoor Multi-Hop Wireless Networks in IEEE 802.11n

The IEEE 802.11 WiFi standard has been widely used in wireless local area networks (WLAN), which specifies an over-the-air interface between wireless clients and access point or between two wireless clients. With the recent development of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems at the physical (PHY) layer and frame aggregation at the medium access control (MAC) layer, the IEEE 802.11n standard provides the fastest data rates and larger coverage areas in different environments. However, as wireless network proliferates in indoor environments specially homes, the network topology has evolved from simple single access point-based network into more complex multi-hop topologies. This paper deals with the study of throughput delivered to end terminals in a WiFi indoor environment, when additional relays or extenders are placed between the router and the clients to develop a multi-hop system. It is proposed that there are certain optimal locations where the extenders can be placed to give optimal throughput and coverage in wireless home environments.