Performance analysis of 802.11 CSMA/CA for infrastructure networks under finite load conditions

In this paper we investigate the performance of 802.11 carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance algorithm for infrastructure networks under finite load conditions. An analytical model based on discrete time Markov chain is proposed to compute essential performance characteristics. The closed form solutions for the chain's stationary distribution and system throughput are derived. We model each wireless station as an M/G/1/ queue. The model accounts for arbitrary packet arrival rate, wireless channel access delay, transmission retry limits and arbitrary packet size distribution. Analytical results are verified through extensive simulation.