A unified framework for the study of wireless packet access in the presence of slow propagation impairments

The paper introduces a unified analytical framework which allows accurate study of multiple access performance in wireless packet systems. The method is based on the analysis of the interference statistics and takes into account slowly varying shadowing and best base station assignment, as well as the effect of the nonuniform traffic distribution induced transmission failures. As an example of application of the technique, two protocols are considered: (1) the classic slotted ALOHA, for which a comprehensive study in a realistic wireless environment has not yet been presented, despite the many analyses published in the past; and (2) the capture division packet access (CDPA). An important conclusion of our study is that if power control and best cell site assignment are jointly used, the performance loss due to slow shadowing is almost negligible.