Extending the IEEE 802.11ad Model: Scheduled Access, Spatial Reuse, Clustering, and Relaying

Abstract

Millimeter-wave technology is one of the main pillars of the future wireless networks. The main reason lies in the quantum leap of capacity it provides with respect to wireless networks operating in the sub 6-GHz band. Nevertheless, efficient and reliable communication in this band demands novel techniques to tackle all the associated barriers related to wireless propagation in those bands. In this paper, we present the extension of our ns-3 IEEE 802.11ad model and provide design and implementation details of the new techniques, including dynamic and static channel access schemes, decentralized clustering, beamformed link maintenance, spatial sharing, and half-duplex relay operation as defined in the IEEE 802.11ad amendment. We show how these techniques can boost and enhance wireless networking operation in the 60 GHz band. Our work is the first to implement these techniques in a networking simulator and make the implementation publicly available.