Improving TCP Performance Using Cross-Layer Feedback in Wireless LANs

Currently, more and more research work has been done for the optimization of TCP performance in wireless networks. The majority of these schemes proposed are trying to optimize the system within the single layer. Obviously, jointly considering the interaction between transport layer and other layers, it may bring the improvement for TCP performance. In this paper, we propose a novel approach using cross-layer ARQ feedback (CLF-TCP) to enhance the performance of TCP in wireless LANs. Its basic idea is cross-three-layer optimization for TCP performance by utilizing the HARQ acknowledgment in PHY-layer as the ARQ acknowledgment in MAC-layer implicitly while exploiting the information of ARQ in MAC-layer for more efficient acknowledgement for TCP segment delivery. Simulation results show that the scheme CLF-TCP not only decrease the overhead for ARQ feedback and the average transmission delay, but also improve TCP throughput effectively.