A Model for Analyzing the Performance of Wireless Multi-Hop Networks using a Contention-based CSMA/CA Strategy

Multi-hop networks are a low-setup-cost solution for enlarging an area of network coverage through multi-hop routing. Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) is frequently used in multi-hop networks. Multi-hop networks face multiple problems, such as a rise in contention for the medium, and packet loss under heavy-load, saturated conditions, which consumes more bandwidth due to re-transmissions. The number of re-transmissions carried out in a multi-hop network plays a major role in the achievable quality of service (QoS). This paper presents a statistical, analytical model for the end-to-end delay of contention-based medium access control (MAC) strategies. These strategies schedule a packet before performing the back-off contention for both differentiated heterogeneous data and homogeneous data under saturation conditions. The analytical model is an application of Markov chain theory and queuing theory. The M/M/1 model is used to derive access queue waiting times, and an absorbing Markov chain is used to determine the expected number of re-transmissions in a multi-hop scenario. This is then used to calculate the expected end-to-end delay. The prediction by the proposed model is compared to the simulation results, and shows close correlation for the different test cases with different arrival rates.