Cross-layer TCP/IP segmentation, re-routing and adaptive modulation techniques to exploit instantaneous BER variations on parallel subchannels

This paper describes a cross-layer technique for TCP-enabled multichannel wireless communications systems such as Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) links. The technique uses adaptive modulation (AM) and different packet re-routing strategies over physically decomposed sub-channels to exploit time-varying channel conditions. The paper will demonstrate that combining both AM and packet re-routing mechanisms can improve the overall performance of MIMO systems where sub-channels possess unbalanced or uneven time-varying error rate characteristics. A simulated wireless communications system is developed to evaluate packet re-routing techniques over four sub-channel connections made available to the link layer. It then considers the effect of cross-layer link modulation adaptation switching. The system is investigated primarily in terms of goodput for several channel arrangements and characteristics, for various data rates and mean bit error rates. Based on the investigation results, this paper will demonstrate that even simple re-routing and AM mechanisms may be beneficial for systems utilising multiple antennas, as long as these expose the underlying sub-channels and their different instantaneous error characteristics to the link layer.