Analyzing interaction between network protocols, topology and traffic in wireless radio networks

We study the interaction between communication protocols, network topology and packet traffic in wireless static radio networks. A particular interest is to empirically characterize the effect of interaction between the routing layer and the MAC layer on overall system performance. Three well-known MAC protocols: 802.11, CSMA and MACA are considered. Similarly three recently proposed routing protocols: AODV, DSR and LAR scheme 1 are considered. The performance of the protocols is measured with regard to three important parameters: (i) number of packets received, (ii) average latency of each packet and (iii) long term fairness. We use a simple statistical technique based on ANOVA (analysis of variance), to characterize the effect of interaction between protocols and various input parameters on network performance. This technique is of independent interest and can be utilized in other simulation studies. Using our methodology, we conclude that different combinations of routing and MAC protocols yield varying performance under varying network topology and traffic situations. Our results show that no combination of routing protocol and MAC protocol is the best over all situations. An important implication of the study is that the performance analysis of protocols at a given level in the protocol stack needs to be studied not locally in isolation but as a part of the complete protocol stack.