An Empirical Analysis of the IEEE 802.11 MAC Layer Handoff Process
An Empirical Analysis of the IEEE 802.11 MAC Layer Handoff Process
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Date
2002-09-18
Authors
Mishra, Arunesh
Shin, Minho
Arbaugh, William
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Abstract
IEEE 802.11 based wireless networks have seen rapid growth and deployment in the
recent years. Critical to the 802.11 MAC operation, is the handoff function
which occurs when a mobile node moves its association from one access
point to another. In this paper, we present an empirical study of this
handoff process at the link layer, with a detailed breakup of the latency
into various components. In particular, we show that a MAC layer function
- probe is the primary contributor to the overall handoff latency. In our
study, we observe that the latency is significant enough to affect the
quality of service for many applications (or network connections). Further we
find a large variation in the latency with from one handoff to another and
also among APs and STAs used from different vendors. In this study, we
account for this variation and also draw the guidelines for future handoff
schemes.
(Also UMIACS-TR-2002-75)