An IEEE 802.11 MAC Software Defined Radio implementation for experimental wireless communications and networking research

Wireless ad-hoc networking will be a fundamental component of emerging technologies such as multi-hop cellular networks, vehicular ad-hoc networks and wireless mesh networks, with most of these technologies based on evolved versions of the 802.11 standard. To achieve their expected benefits, and address their challenges, in terms of energy efficiency, reliability or reconfigurability, advanced cooperative and cross-layer communications and networking techniques need to be investigated. Most of the studies conducted to date are based on analytical and simulation techniques, and the use of commercial hardware equipment usually lacks the flexibility needed to conduct advanced research studies. In this context, this paper presents a fully programmable Software Defined Radio implementation of the IEEE 802.11 MAC that can be used, configured and fully modified, to develop advanced cross-layer communications and networking techniques.