Throughput Maximization in 802.11 Wireless Networks Employing Adaptive Antenna Arrays

This paper proposes a mathematical framework for evaluating, in saturated and non-saturated traffic conditions, the performance of an 802.11 wireless network in which the nodes are equipped with adaptive antenna systems. The analysis, validated by simulations, adopts detailed models for the antenna behavior and the propagation environment, taking into account multipath and interference. The developed model is used to investigate the proper parameter settings that lead to throughput maximization, providing a simplified method to obtain the optimum contention window when adaptive arrays are employed.