The capacity of wireless networks
Gupta, P.; Kumar, P.R.
Information Theory, IEEE Transactions on
Volume 46, Issue 2, Mar 2000 Page(s):388 - 404
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/18.825799
Summary:When n identical randomly located nodes, each capable of
transmitting at W bits per second and using a fixed range, form a
wireless network, the throughput λ(n) obtainable by each node for
a randomly chosen destination is Θ(W/√(nlogn)) bits per
second under a noninterference protocol. If the nodes are optimally
placed in a disk of unit area, traffic patterns are optimally assigned,
and each transmission's range is optimally chosen, the bit-distance
product that can be transported by the network per second is
Θ(W√An) bit-meters per second. Thus even under optimal
circumstances, the throughput is only Θ(W/√n) bits per
second for each node for a destination nonvanishingly far away. Similar
results also hold under an alternate physical model where a required
signal-to-interference ratio is specified for successful receptions.
Fundamentally, it is the need for every node all over the domain to
share whatever portion of the channel it is utilizing with nodes in its
local neighborhood that is the reason for the constriction in capacity.
Splitting the channel into several subchannels does not change any of
the results. Some implications may be worth considering by designers.
Since the throughput furnished to each user diminishes to zero as the
number of users is increased, perhaps networks connecting smaller
numbers of users, or featuring connections mostly with nearby neighbors,
may be more likely to be find acceptance
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