Adaptive rate control with chip discrimination in UWB networks

A fundamental concern of any ad-hoc network is the mitigation of potential near/far power disparities that can occur anytime a node is communicating with a distant node in the presence of very close interfering transmitters. In this paper, we present a technique for adjusting the number of chips/bit to maximize throughput in such poor near/far power ratio environments. The technique leverages information derived from our chip discrimination approach, and also exploits the low duty cycle nature of ultra-wideband (UWB) radio. We present this simple method for detection of near pulse interference and develop it as one component for a peer-to-peer MAC layer protocol, to effect more efficient transmission rate control using only locally derived input. We demonstrate the efficacy of the technique using simulation in bursty, pulse limited environments. The technique provides improved throughput compared to fixed parameter links and equivalent theoretical M|D|1 queues.