ERA : An Efficient Rate Adaption Algorithm with Fragmentation

An effective rate adaptation is one of the main challenges in wireless networks with multi-rate support. This work aims to design an effective rate adaptation algorithm. To fulfill this goal, we study the behavior of a system under different rate adaptation operations with simulations, investigate the frame loss nature in rate adaptation dynamics and analyze the effectiveness of different responses to those frame loss causes with both simulation and analytic model. Then, based on our observations, we propose an effective rate adaptation algorithm, dubbed ERA, with frame loss differentiation. This algorithm utilizes a strategy named “fragmenting” to discriminate the loss causes. It takes into account operations effective in both channel degradation and collision environments. With extensive simulations, our algorithm demonstrates its outstanding effectiveness and significant improvement over some of existing algorithms.