On performance of TCP and VoIP traffic in mobile WiMAX networks

The major performance objectives of the next-generation wireless communication systems are high link capacity and increase application/service performance from the user perspective. An attractive technology for providing broadband access is WiMAX network. For the network and application-level capacity and performance analysis, we first provide an overview of WiMAX network architecture and system performance. Afterward we discuss the benefits and challenges of flat architecture for mobile networks. In this kind of architecture the access service network gateway and base stations are consolidated into a single channel. All-IP flat architecture is a promising option. However, performance goals of the WiMAX system are conflicting: maintenance VoIP quality vs. completely utilization of the remaining capacity for TCP. We investigate the approaches in performance optimization based on TCP modification schemes. The solution is to control TCP traffic before entering WiMAX network in conjunction with methods to dynamically estimate available bandwidth in real time. Key-Words: Wireless networking, TCP performance, Traffic control.