Cross-layer transport layer enhancement mechanism in wireless cellular networks

In this paper we address the issue of cross-layer design in transport layer enhancement mechanisms, where the data-link and transport layer information is shared with each other, in order to provide improved system throughput of the wireless cellular network. We propose a cross-layer transport layer enhancement mechanism with name of XST (cross-layer snoop protocol for TCP), which is based on Snoop protocol combined with the forced duplicate acknowledgement congestion control strategy in wireless cellular networks. XST employs the cross-layer design, working at the data-link layer but using the transport layer information as operating criteria. We conduct a comparative study between the XST mechanism and active queue management (AQM) mechanism in the literature, such as random early detection (RED) in wireless environments with varying link characteristics. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed XST significantly outperforms RED in wireless cellular network, especially under high-error-rate which is a major characteristic of wireless links.