Throughput analysis and optimal configuration of 802.11e EDCA

One of the main challenges with 802.11e EDCA is the configuration of the open parameters of this mechanism, namely AIFS, CWmin, CWmax and TXOP_limit. In this paper, we address the issue of finding the optimal configuration of these parameters in order to maximize the throughput performance of the WLAN. We first present a model to analyze the throughput performance of an EDCA WLAN as a function of these parameters. Then, based on this model, we search for the optimal EDCA configuration. We find out that, surprisingly, one of the EDCA parameters, the AIFS, is not used in the optimal configuration. We provide closed formulae, based on some approximations, for the configuration of the parameters CWmin and CWmax. The configuration of the TXOP_limit parameter is discussed based on a delay analysis provided elsewhere.