Performance evaluation of backoff algorithms in 802.11 ad-hoc networks

Abstract

Understanding the performances of backoff algorithms in multi-hop ad hoc networks is a key feature to design efficient medium access protocols. The 802.11 binary exponential backoff algorithm and all the enhancements done to this algorithm have been studied in depth in a single hop context. Very few analytical studies are carried out on 802.11 backoff algorithms in a multi-hop context due to the difficulty of modeling. In this paper we propose an analytical study, based on a stochastic process algebra, of four backoff algorithms on two multi-hop scenarios. Performances of each backoff algorithms are computed from efficiency and fairness point of view