Physical and Medium Access Control criteria for the optimal Medium Access Control protocol data unit size in Automatic Repeat Request‐enabled connections in IEEE 802.16e/ WiMAX systems

Abstract

SUMMARYIn this paper, we address an aspect of the mutual influence between the physical (PHY) layer budding blocks (forward error correction (FEC) blocks) and the medium access control (MAC) level allocations in the uplink and downlink of IEEE 802.16e/WiMAX systems. In these systems, it is possible to transmit MAC level frames, denoted MAC protocol data units (PDUs), such that a PDU contains an integral number of fixed size data blocks. We compute the optimal size of a PDU according to two criteria, one related to the PHY layer and one related to the MAC layer. In relation to the PHY layer, the criterion maximizes the average number of data bits that are transmitted in a PHY slot. In relation to the MAC layer, the criterion maximizes the goodput of the PDU. The goodput depends on the success probability of the PDU, which in turn depends on the FEC blocks over which the PDU is allocated. We then compare the maximal PDU goodputs in different sizes of the FEC blocks and the data blocks. The main outcome is that the PDU goodput is sensitive in those cases in which data blocks are very large. We also give guidelines on how to choose the best modulation/coding scheme to use in a scenario where the signal-to-noise ratio can change significantly during transmissions, to maximize the PDU goodput. Finally, we compare between the two criteria. Copyright