Transmission parameter selection in an adaptive packet-radio network
P.E. Bausbacher, J.L. Kearns · 2002
Packet-radio networks (PRNs) can experience variations in radio-channel quality due to nodal mobility, network congestion, and adversarial behavior. For this reason, PRNs must be designed with adaptivity in mind. A link-layer protocol termed the transmission parameter selection algorithm (TPSA)-that provides real-time, distributed control of radio transmission parameters including power level, data rate, and forward error correction (FEC) rate is discussed. TPSA design methodology is presented, including the implementation details of a specific TPSA designed with the single goal of maximizing throughput in a direct-sequence spread-spectrum network. The related topic of link quality assessment is discussed, with attention given to a technique which infers link quality from the presence or absence of acknowledgments. Finally, suggestions for TPSA interaction with routing algorithms are offered. >