An efficient algorithm for the optimal placement of wireless extension points in rectilineal wireless local area networks

Wireless extension points (EPs) are immobile devices that relay data between the access point and the mobile users in a heterogeneous wireless local area network (WLAN). In this paper, we investigate the optimal placement of EPs such that the throughput capacity of a rectilineal WLAN is maximized. Two channel models are studied, based on the Shannon capacity bound and IEEE 802.11 specifications. We propose an efficient EP placement algorithm that determines the optimal locations of a fixed number of EPs. Our results show that, for a wide range of system parameters, the optimally placed EPs can significantly increase the network throughput capacity. Moreover, we study how the number of EPs, transmission power, path loss exponent, channel models and traffic characteristics affect the optimal EP placement and expected throughput capacity of the network