Throughput analysis of Wi-Fi based broadband access for mobile users on the highway

The feasibility of providing broadband wireless access (BWA) to vehicular passengers by providing a number of Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) access points (APs) along roads is investigated. For BWA to vehicular passengers to become reality an array of technological challenges need to be addressed. In this paper, some unique features and challenges that distinguish these access networks from other types of Wi-Fi networks are discussed. Analytical study is carried out to determine the average throughout achievable by vehicular passengers on the road in terms of vehicle density, density of APs, range of AP, number of lanes of highway and probability of communicating with APs of users. The result obtained can serve as an input for technoeconomic analysis.