A simple protocol for the dynamic tuning of the backoff mechanism in IEEE 802. networks

In this work we study the performance of the IEEE 802.11 protocol with a dynamically tuned backo based on a very simple estimation of the network status. Speci®cally, our backo algorithm exploits the information provided to each station by the carrier sensing mechanism. Each station uses this information to tune its backo. Simulation results indicate that the capacity of the enhanced protocol approaches the theoretical capacity limits of the IEEE 802.11 protocol in all the con®gurations analyzed. Studies of transient conditions show that, when the load changes, the protocol quickly re-tunes the backo to the new optimal one.