Logical EDCA: A Novel EDCA mechanism for IEEE 802.11 based Networks

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) mechanism for IEEE 802.11 based networks. It focuses primarily on starvation issues related to low priority flows. Based on mutually exclusive logical functions, a new approach to differentiate flows is used. Each Access Category (AC) has its own logical function that determines whether it has permission to transmit or not. Access is then granted to flows in a deterministic way, taking into account the instantaneous state of the station, and therefore, the network. Logical EDCA has been modelized, implemented and simulated on NS3 Network Simulator. The results are very encouraging.