Date of Award

12-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Legacy Department

Electrical Engineering

Committee Chair/Advisor

Russell, Harlan B

Abstract

Ad hoc networks employing adaptive-transmission protocols can alter transmission parameters to suit the channel environment. Channel-access mechanisms are used to govern temporal use of the transmission medium amongst nodes. Effective operation of a channel-access mechanism can improve the ability of an adaptive-transmission protocol to accommodate changing channel conditions. The interoperability of these two mechanisms motivates cross-layer design of adaptive-transmission protocols.
In this thesis we examine the integration of a new channel-access mechanism with a physical-layer adaptive-transmission protocol to create a cross-layer protocol with enhanced capabilities. We derive specific physical-layer measurements which are used to control channel-access behavior in a distributed manner. We propose a distributed heuristic using cross-layer information to drive a channel-access protocol which works in conjunction with an adaptive-transmission protocol. We show that the new protocol outperforms statically configured transmission protocols as well as protocols which act independently of cross-layer enhancements.

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