Throughput analysis of IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.11e MAC

This work focuses on the throughput analysis of the IEEE 802.11 medium access control (MAC). In the IEEE 802.11 standard, the main access scheme is called the distributed coordination function (DCF) and is the basis for the other access schemes, such as the point coordination function (PCF) and the enhanced DCF (EDCF) of the new IEEE 802.11e MAC. Since the IEEE 802.11 MAC does not support quality of service (QoS), the IEEE is currently working on the final draft of an enhanced version known as the IEEE 802.11e. In this enhanced standard, QoS and service differentiations are supported. The throughput and delay performance of the DCF/PCF of the IEEE 802.11 MAC are presented for different packet lengths and different numbers of users. Throughput performances are also detailed for the EDCF.