TCP/IP link layer error mitigation for MIMO wireless links

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of link-layer

error mitigation support in MIMO wireless linking sys-

tems, and compares connection approaches between SISO

and MIMO at different BER operating points substanti-

ated by analysis of captured channels. In particular, this pa-

per concentrates on a packet-based TDD approach, with a

link-layer error mitigation scheme based on selective-repeat

ARQ of segmented IP packets. Analytical expressions are

derived for transfer efficiency over such a system, and sim-

ulation results presented to verify performance in terms of

application delay experienced by users under various er-

ror conditions. This is repeated for SISO and for three

alternative MIMO connection arrangements. Result show

the degree of improvement available through the incorpo-

ration of link-layer error mitigation based upon the selec-

tive repetition of erroneous sub-IP packets, and in particu-

lar that presenting decomposed MIMO bit-pipes exhibiting

diverse error conditions to the link layer, may be advanta-

geous