MUD receiver capacity optimization for wireless ad hoc networks

In general the performance of ad hoc networks is limited by mobility, half-duplex operation, and possible collisions. One way to overcome these bottlenecks is to apply a multiuser detection (MUD) reception that can significantly increase the network throughput and improve quality of service. Recent technological advances allow implementation of a multi-user detection receiver in one software-defined radio chip and thus making it feasible to consider this technology for ad hoc networks. Nevertheless, the MUD receiver power consumption and complexity grow exponentially with its capacity defined as the maximum number of CDMA signals, originated at different nodes, which can be received simultaneously. Therefore the receiver capacity should be optimized to provide reasonable trade-off between the network performance and the MUD receiver cost and power consumption. We address this issue by presenting an approximate analysis of the network throughput as a function of MUD receiver capacity and other network parameters such as node density and offered traffic. The numerical analysis illustrates the gains in network throughput and performance with increasing receiver capacity. Based on this analysis we propose a framework for MUD receiver capacity optimization based on performance and cost utility functions.