A Model Based Platform for Design and Optimization of Multi-hop 802.11 Wireless Networks

We develop a loss model for multi-hop wireless networks based on IEEE 802.11 MAC. Given a multi-hop network topology, connection demands and routes, we model the working of 802.11 MAC in DCF mode to find good approximations to average MAC layer losses, service times and carried load. The model is defined as an implicit function amongst the variables in the model and solved using a fixed point approach. Further, using Automatic Differentiation (AD) on the implicit function , we perform sensitivity analysis and use it in an optimization framework. As an illustration of how this model can help in design and optimization of wireless networks, we optimize the network throughput by appropriate load splitting along multiple paths. We validate our models using network simulations.