On the multi-channel access schemes of the evolving WLANs

Abstract

Today wireless local area networks (WLAN) are evolving with an aim to enhance the throughput performance leveraging various cutting-edge technologies. In this paper, we compare the aggregate throughput performance of two different multi-channel access schemes, namely, channel bonding (of the emerging IEEE 802.11n standard) and multi-radio MAC. Numerical analysis demonstrates that even though the channel bonding scheme can provide the higher physical layer transmission rate with the wider bandwidth, this does not always guarantee a higher aggregate throughput due to the relatively larger MAC overhead. Moreover, it is shown that distributing stations across multiple channels with multi-radio MAC can further enhance the aggregate throughput performance due to the reduced contention overhead.