Performance evaluation of long-distance 802.11N networks

Abstract

Nowadays is a topic of interest the adaptation of WiFi technologies to long distances, named WiLD (WiFi based Long Distance). WiLD networks are well adapted to suburban and rural areas of developing countries, however present several complexities that limit their performance and range, including limitations due to inefficiency in temporary variables in the MAC layer, mainly in media access and wait for acknowledgments. Considering these problems, it is a clear need to evaluate new technologies to improve capacity in such conditions. IEEE 802.11n-2009 would be in line with the most promising technologies. In this article, we address this task with an assessment of the 802.11n features which is expected to enhance communications over long distances and performance testing on the frame aggregation technique that would have on these scenarios, using NS-3 as the simulation platform. The simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of 802.11n PHY and MAC layer enhancement over long distances in relation to 802.11a.