On Interaction between MAC and Transport Layers for Media Streaming in 802.11 Ad-hoc Networks

We examine the validity of TCP-friendliness and the utility of equation-based congestion control as a mean for the media streaming service in 802.11 multi-hop networks. Our investigation is motivated by the recent findings of the bandwidth-delay product of 802.11 multi-hop networks via intensive computer simulations. We show that TCP behavior in 802.11 multi-hop networks is generally inefficient and unstable because the standard TCP is too aggressive considering the low bandwidth-delay product of 802.11 networks. We introduce the concept of the ‘fractional window’ mechanism (which resembles the stop-and-go protocol) for TCP, and show that the modified TCP is more stable and efficient while outperforming the legacy TCP in 802.11-based ad hoc networks. Finally, we show that many of the typical problems of TCP protocol (performance, network fairness, and TCP-friendliness) in 802.11 networks can be solved simply by increasing the bandwidth-delay product of 802.11 networks without any TCP modification. Based on this observation, we conclude that the assumption of the ideal steady-state TCP behavior is generally invalid in 802.11 multi-hop networking environment, and that congestion control based on TCP-friendly equation can hardly provide TCP-fair throughput and smoothness in 802.11 multi-hop networking environment.