On throughput in linear wireless networks

Abstract

This paper investigates fundamental properties of throughput and energy cost in large wireless linear networks with very limited local resources that do not grow with the size of the network. The maximum throughput of the network is derived and the arrival process that maximizes throughput, given a fixed arrival rate, is established. An asymptotically critical loading regime is identified such that the probability of an arbitrary packet being lost is strictly within (0, 1) as the network size increases. Such a regime delivers throughput comparable to the maximum at a reasonable energy cost. The paper also establishes the asymptotic network energy cost under this critical loading. These results are then used to consider a performance-cost tradeoff within an optimization problem for which the unique equilibrium point that maximizes the difference between performance benefits and costs is derived. Finally, from a mathematical perspective, the paper furthers our understanding of large stochastic linear networks for which, in general, no explicit solutions have been previously available. Copyright 2008 ACM.