A Novel Performance Model for Distributed Prioritized MAC Protocols

Distributed prioritized channel access mechanisms have been adopted by the IEEE 802.11e enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) and the Multiband OFDM Alliance prioritized channel access (PCA) to support service differentiation. In this paper, we propose a novel analytical model for performance study of such mechanisms. The proposed model gives the average frame service time first and then the per station and network normalized throughput, which makes it applicable to both saturated and unsaturated stations. Furthermore, the model is especially helpful in understanding the different effects of the same prioritizing mechanisms in saturated and unsaturated conditions. To the best of our knowledge, there is no similar work reported in the open literature. The accuracy of the analytical model is demonstrated by extensive simulation.