Flexible system model and architectural exploration for HIPERLAN 2 DLC wireless LAN protocol

Modern wireless communication protocols like HIPERLAN 2, IEEE 802.11a etc. support high data rates of the order of 54 Mbps and have strict timing requirements. Although protocols define the communication rules, they do not address critical design issues like hardware/software (HW/SW) partitioning and the implementation of different algorithms, which have a critical impact on the system performance. We have developed a platform independent flexible system model based on the HIPERLAN 2 data link control (DLC) protocol that allows easy experimenting with HW/SW partitioning and different algorithms. Our design methodology allows performance evaluation at the system level as well as path to HW/SW implementation. The simulation results presented give good information on the computational complexity of different components and on the HW/SW partitioning of the HIPERLAN 2 DLC layer. The HW/SW partitioning results have been verified with a working demonstrator and the object oriented model can be easily extended for future protocols.