An overlay algorithm to improve the support of multi-hopping in the IEEE 802.11 WLANs

Previous studies have argued that the performance of the IEEE 802.11 protocol is poor when used as a platform to implement multi-hop ad hoc networks. In this paper, we analyze the negative behavior caused by having multiple overlapping IBSSs (independent basic service sets) operating at the same frequency channel in an 802.11 ad hoc network. We propose an overlay algorithm on top of 802.11 to help discipline the interaction of overlapping IBSSs. Our algorithm yields noticeable improvement in the aggregate normalized throughput value per IBSS as well as the stability of the system.