A mini-product-form-based solution to data-delay evaluation in wireless integrated voice/data networks

Although the product-form solution provides an accurate characterization of equilibrium voice-traffic behavior in wireless integrated voice/data networks, it does not directly provide a method to evaluate data-packet delay. However, examination of each link separately in a manner that incorporates interaction with the rest of the network permits one to take advantage of the wireless nature of the network and obtain a three-flow characterization of each link, which also satisfies a product-form solution and is hence termed a “mini-product-form” solution. By matching the values of these flows, which are natural to the wireless network, to the average values obtained from the product-form solution of the entire network, the authors obtain a three-dimensional Markov chain characterization of the voice occupancy state on the link, which permits a simpler evaluation of data-packet delay. A further reduction is possible by converting the three-dimensional chain to a single-dimensional one