Cross-Layer Based MAC FEC Solution for IEEE 802.11a Links in Fading Channels

WLANs, due to the characteristics of the wireless medium, exhibit time and location dependent features. The ability to adapt to such conditions and enable optimal behavior is a key issue in future generation heterogeneous networks where WLANs are envisioned as an integral part. This paper uses a recently derived analytical model of the throughput performance of non-saturated contending IEEE 802.11a systems under fading conditions which is extended in order to define a novel, cross-layer based, throughput improvement MAC FEC scheme for IEEE 802.11a links.