Performance Evaluation of Wireless Network in Presence of Hidden Node: A Queuing Theory Approach

Hidden node is a fundamental problem that affects any wireless network where nodes cannot hear each other and leads to data packet collision. IEEE 802.11 wireless networks employ RTS/CTS mechanism for avoiding DATA packet collision .The main design assumption in this method is that all the nodes in the vicinity of a sender and a receiver must hear the RTS and CTS packets. They also defer their transmission appropriately. In this paper first scenarios are discussed which leads to DATA packet collision. In the later part of the paper an analytical model is developed by taking queuing and retransmissions. Expression for probability of packet collision is then derived. Finally detail simulation is performed. Analytical and simulation results are compared as well as the variation of packet error is calculated. Results are presented which show the variation of packet error with the variation of service time and packet arrival rate. These results can be used in future for the evaluation of throughput and delay of the system.