Queuing analysis of cooperative GBN-ARQ in wireless networks with peers contending for a common helper

This paper presents a new queuing model for performance analysis of go-back-N automatic repeat request (GBN-ARQ) protocol in cooperative wireless networks. In the model, cooperative medium access control (CoopMAC) protocol and dynamic radio link adaptation are taken into consideration. We analyze the probability distribution of the total delay witnessed by packets at the source side. Multi-rate transmissions are considered for all links with link adaptation. An enhanced Markov model is introduced in our model, which encompasses the following aspects: CoopMAC protocol at the MAC sub-layer; GBN-ARQ protocol at the logical link control sub-layer and the transmission using decode-and-forward cooperative diversity at the physical layer. The stochastic process of random feedback delay because of peers contending for a common helper is analyzed. The queuing system is modeled as a GI/M/1 Markov chain to acquire statistics of the exact queue length and the total delay. We analyze the effects of Doppler frequency shift and packet arrival rate on the total delay. The analysis is validated by simulation.