A measurement study of 802.11n links on commodity hardware

802.11n is one of the recently ratified drafts for wireless networks. We modify an open-source wireless card device driver and conduct a performance analysis study. We find by measurements that the currently implemented algorithm in the open source device driver fails to successfully converge to the best physical layer rate under the given channel conditions. Several metrics to study the patterns of error are devised and measurements are taken in an o ffice environment, at diff erent times of day, and in an anechoic chamber. We find that 802.11n, which uses MIMO, presents a peculiar nature of performance in indoor and anechoic chamber environments and presents some interesting challenges as well as opportunities for better rate control algorithm design.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2010

Author dc:creator

• Kumar, Rakesh

Contributors dc:contributor

• Vaidya, Nitin H.

• 802.11n
• rate control algorithm
• measurement study
• commodity links

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Rakesh Kumar

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16730

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/16730