Random-access over fading channels

Wireless local area networks (WLANS) (1997) allow the transmission of bursty data traffic over fading, wireless links. We formulate and analyze a simple model of controlled ALOHA in a Rayleigh fading environment. We consider the application of a one bit per slot feedback control algorithm, from (Sylvie Ghez, et al., 1989), and propose a new algorithm involving higher rates of feedback per slot. Our algorithm is based on an optimization framework, which enables one to determine the desired rate of feedback, and we demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm in improving delay performance as compared to the 1-bit feedback algorithm.