Packet-length adaptive CLSP/DS-CDMA: performance in burst-error correlated fading channels

The authors analyze throughput-delay performance of an unslotted channel load sensing protocol (CLSP)/direct sequence (DS)-code division multiple access (CDMA) packet radio network (PRN) with adaptive packet length over burst-error correlated fading channels. CLSP controls the packet access in uplink of unslotted ALOHA/DS-CDMA systems so that contention is avoided and throughput is maximized. However, due to high uncertainty of radio channels, the performance of CLSP/DS-CDMA PRN may suffer from notable degradations. Using theoretical analysis and simulation, the authors show that in highly correlated fading environments adapting the length of radio packets to fading conditions significantly improves system performance and energy efficiency of mobile terminals. In their modeling, they study the relation between the fade statistics and the packet length in correlated Rayleigh fading channels. The effects of reception diversity, imperfect transmit power control (TPC), and user mobility are considered. The results are used to develop simple, energy-efficient, and robust adaptation mechanisms.