Performance of IEEE 802.11 RTS/CTS with Finite Buffer and Load in Imperfect Channels: Modeling and Analysis

Existing 2-D Markov chain models of IEEE 802.11 DCF mechanism are not capable to model the performance of the RTS/CTS access mode with finite buffer in imperfect channels due to the lack of adequate buffer and data retransmission limit models. This paper presents a discrete-time 4-D Markov chain model that integrates in addition to the data and control retransmission limits, the finite load, finite buffer capacity, and quality of the received data into a one model. Specifically, the additional two dimensions model the data retransmission limit and buffer capacity. Moreover, a single state, the idle state, is added to model the unsaturated condition. The 4-D model provides a new insight into QoS performance and queueing behavior of the IEEE 802.11 system. Simulation results also indicate that the analytical analysis is fairly accurate.