Throughput Analysis for IEEE 802.11 Multi-hop Networks Considering Transmission Rate

This paper considers wireless string-topology multi-hop networks, in which each network node operates autonomously following the IEEE 802.11 Distributed Coordination Function (DCF). The IEEE 802.11 DCF defines multiple transmission rates. In general, the transmission rate is inversely proportional to the transmission distance. The carrier-sensing distance, however, is independent of the transmission rate under the condition of identical transmission power. Therefore, when the transmission rate amplifies, the number of nodes within the carrier-sensing range may increase; hence affect the network performance. The previous works either simplify or have no consideration of the effect. Addressing the issue, we newly propose an analytical expression of end-to-end throughputs of IEEE 802.11 string-topology multi-hop networks, taking into account transmission rates. The validity of the proposed analytical model is confirmed from the quantitative agreements with the simulation results.