Optimizing Wireless Communication using Adaptive Packet Sizing and Turbo Codes

Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have very dynamic channel properties and the data communication suffers from interference, multi-path fading and noise. Since wireless devices are mobile, factors such as energy consumption, effective coverage area and most of all reliability and quality of service are of key importance. The 802.11a/b/g wireless protocols employ static link layer control and transmit packets/frames with pre-determined sizes. This paper focuses on benefits derived from combining adaptive packet/frame sizing with forward error correcting (FEC) turbo codes. Protecting the data frames on the channel, using FEC enhances efficiency of dynamic packet sizing and is shown to increase energy efficiency and communication range. Adaptive packet sizing software from SmartPackets Inc. and turbo code simulations are used to discover parameters that are common to both and affect communication efficiency. A multi-fold improvement in throughput is found when these technologies are used simultaneously