WLC33-6: Comparative Evaluation of Prediction Heuristics for Wireless Channels

Impairments in wireless data communication due to time and location dependent errors can be overcome by using channel-adaptive techniques, like channel-aware scheduling or adaptive modulation. These techniques require information about channel behaviour obtained from channel predictors. Unfortunately enough the accuracy of predictors usually suggested in the literature has not been confirmed and comparative studies do not exist (with one exception). In addition, existing predictors are frequently difficult to compute and sensitive to numerous parameters, e.g. noise and channel variability. In this paper, we investigate and compare the performance accuracy of three simple heuristics for channel prediction. Our investigation includes a comparison with a verified reference predictor using Rayleigh channels and measured WLAN traces. Our study indicates the usefulness of the investigated heuristics for fixed systems and pedestrian speed mobility.