Slow and Steady: Modelling and Performance Analysis of the Network Entry Process in IEEE 802.16

The IEEE 802.16 standard represents the state-of-the-art for quality of service (QoS) aware broadband wireless access networks. Initially the standard provided sophisticated QoS mechanisms only for a static network (i.e. stationary subscribers), but recently the amendment IEEE 802.16e-2005 introduced mobility support for the individual subscriber stations. Network entry is the first step required for nodes to register themselves with the 802.16 network. The performance of the network entry process is crucial to support QoS, especially if node churn is high. In this paper, we develop an analytical model of the network entry process in IEEE 802.16. This model enables us to predict the effect and influence of important protocol parameters for joining the network. Using our model, we show that the selection of correct and appropriate protocol parameters is crucial to support setup-delay sensitive applications such as emergency services or IP-telephony. Our model can be used as a tool to derive the feasible range for individual network parameters in selected application scenarios.