Optimum frame fragmentation method for communication over error prone channels
View Patent ↗A frame fragmentation method for digital communications over error prone channels is presented. The technique maximizes data throughput based on the bit error rate and frame overhead. The technique can be used to determine optimum fragmentation thresholds for wireless links that are characterized by significant bit error rates.
1. A method of transmitting frames on a communication link comprising:
monitoring the communications link to determine a probability of error on the link; and
selecting frame size as a function of the determined probability and as a function of overhead, the selected frame size being selected from a set of frame sizes computed numerically as the solution to
1
+
O
F
opt
+
O
=
α
F
opt
1
-
ⅇ
-
α
F
opt
where O is overhead, F opt is optimum frame size and α=−ln(1-probability of bit error).
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein if overhead is significantly larger than the frame size, the selected frame size is inversely proportional to the natural logarithm of the determined probability.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of monitoring monitors the signal to noise ratio on the communications link.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of monitoring monitors a frame error rate on the communications link.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein frames are transmitted over the communications link using the IEEE 802.11 media access control and physical layer protocol.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the frame is one of a plurality of fragments in a transmitted fragment burst.
7. A system for transmitting frames on a communication link comprising:
a monitoring routine which monitors the communications link to determine a probability of error on the link; and
a frame sizer which selects frame size as a function of the determined probability and as a function of overhead, the frame size being is selected from a set of frame sizes computed numerically as the solution to
1
+
O
F
opt
+
O
=
α
F
opt
1
-
ⅇ
-
α
F
opt
where O is overhead, F opt is optimum frame size and α=−ln(1-probability of bit error).
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein if overhead is significantly larger than the frame size, the selected frame size is inversely proportional to the natural logarithm of the determined probability.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the monitoring routine monitors signal to noise ratio on the communications link.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the monitoring routine monitors a frame error rate on the communications link.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein frames are transmitted over the communications link using the IEEE 802.11 media access control and physical layer protocol.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the frame is one of a plurality of fragments in a transmitted fragment burst.
13. A system for transmitting frames on a communication link comprising:
means for monitoring the communications link to determine a probability of error on the link; and
means for selecting frame size as a function of the determined probability and as a function of overhead, the frame size being selected from a set of frame sizes computed numerically as the solution to
1
+
O
F
opt
+
O
=
α
F
opt
1
-
ⅇ
-
α
F
opt
where O is overhead, F opt is optimum frame size and α=−ln(1-probability of bit error).