A method for predicting the throughput characteristics of rate-adaptive wireless LANs

Rate-adaptive wireless local area networks (WLANs) are fast becoming the networking method of choice. Naturally, there is interest in developing simple and accurate tools for predicting the throughput characteristics of such systems. We present a generic methodology to this end. The method combines a limited set of measurements made using the WLAN device, physical (PHY) layer simulation results, and medium access control (MAC) layer analysis. We consider the IEEE 802.11a standard to show that the methodology we develop predicts throughput characteristics that match closely those from measurements, for typical WLAN environments.