Adaptive rate control over multiple spatial channels in ad hoc networks

In ad hoc networks of nodes equipped with multiple antennas, the tradeoff between spatial multiplexing and diversity gains in each link impacts the overall network capacity. An optimal algorithm is developed for adaptive rate and power control for a communication link over multiple channels in a Poisson field of interferers. The algorithm and its analysis demonstrate that optimum area spectral efficiency is achieved when each communication link in a large distributed wireless network properly balances between diversity and multiplexing techniques. The channel adaptive algorithm is shown to be superior to traditional and static multi-antenna architectures, as well as to certain channel adaptive strategies previously proposed. Lastly, the adaptive rate control algorithm is coupled with an optimum frequency hopping scheme to achieve the maximum area spectral efficiency.