Abstract: Using a three dimensional Markov chain, a nonsaturation throughput performance model was proposed for IEEE 802.11 Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) in fading channel. The impacts of different factors, including bit error ratio, traffic loads and packet length, on the throughput of the system were analyzed using this model. Based on the model, a simple formula was derived to calculate the optimized packet length for maximizing the nonsaturation throughput. Simulation results show that this model can effectively predict the nonsaturation throughput of 802.11 DCF in fading channel, and by employing the optimum packet length the system throughput can be enhanced.

Key words: computer systems organization, fading channel, distributed coordination function, throughput