Cross-Layer Framework for Fine-Grained Channel Access in Next Generation High-Density Wi Fi Networks

Densely deployed Wi Fi networks will play a crucial role in providing the capacity for next generation mobile internet. However, due to increasing interference, overlapped channels in Wi Fi networks and throughput efficiency degradation, densely deployed Wi Fi networks is not a guarantee to obtain higher throughput. An emergent challenge is how to effi ciently utilize scarce spectrum resources, by matching physical layer resources to traffi c demand. In this aspect, access control allocation strategies play a pivotal role but remain too coarse-grained. As a solution, this research proposes a flexible framework for fine-grained channel width adaptation and multi-channel access in Wi Fi networks. This approach, named SFCA(Subcarrier Fine-grained Channel Access), adopts DOFDM(Discontinuous Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) at the PHY layer. It allocates the frequency resource with a subcarrier granularity, which facilitates the channel width adaptation for multi-channel access and thus brings more fl exibility and higher frequency efficiency. The MAC layer uses a frequencytime domain backoff scheme, which combines the popular time-domain BEB scheme with a frequency-domain backoff to decrease access collision, resulting in higher access probability for the contending nodes. SFCA is compared with FICA(an established access scheme)showing significant outperformance. Finally we present results for next generation 802.11 ac Wi Fi networks.