Towards a More Reliable Predictor of WiFi Link Performance

Number of Students : 2
Guides : Joy Kuri, Haresh Dagale

Predicting link quality in a WiFi network is difficult. Commonly available measures like the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) are not reliable [1]. Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise (SINR) is more promising, but very hard to get, because chip manufacturers rarely provide sufficient information. We propose to explore PHY layer and MAC layer-based information (for example, number of frame retransmissions) to obtain a reliable estimator/predictor of WiFi link performance. The work will involve experimentation with WiFi systems, possibly including USRP boards.

[1]: “Assessing Link Quality in IEEE 802.11 Wireless Networks: Which is the Right Metric?” Angelos Vlavianos, Lap Kong Law, Ioannis Broustis, Srikanth V. Krishnamurthy, Michalis Faloutsos, 19th IEEE Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Communications (PIMRS), 2008.