Optimal channel utilization ratio in ad hoc wireless networks

In this paper, we investigate the impact of the channel utilization ratio (CUR) on the performance of ad hoc wireless networks. Given that a node can hold a multi-hop route for a time interval defined as the reserved channel utilization interval (RCUI), we assume that the node effectively utilizes the reserved route for an interval defined as the effective channel utilization interval (ECUI), the duration of which corresponds to the duration of the message to be transmitted. This models a realistic scenario, where a node may use the shared radio medium for only a portion of the reservation interval. Defining the CUR as the ratio between the RCUI duration and the ECUI duration, we develop an analytical framework which leads to the evaluation of the "optimal" CUR for the maximization of the effective transport capacity, a concept recently introduced by the authors and representing the actual bandwidth-distance product carried by the network.