Scribd
Upload
5 views3 pages

Wireless TCP Congestion Control Assignment

The document discusses TCP congestion control, highlighting its challenges in wireless networks due to factors like interference and fluctuating latency. It reviews various approaches to improve TCP performance in these environments, including TCP Westwood+, SACK, and CUBIC, which adapt to unique wireless characteristics. The conclusion emphasizes the need for tailored strategies to optimize data flow and reliability in expanding wireless connectivity.

Uploaded by

touhidmarjan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views3 pages

Wireless TCP Congestion Control Assignment

The document discusses TCP congestion control, highlighting its challenges in wireless networks due to factors like interference and fluctuating latency. It reviews various approaches to improve TCP performance in these environments, including TCP Westwood+, SACK, and CUBIC, which adapt to unique wireless characteristics. The conclusion emphasizes the need for tailored strategies to optimize data flow and reliability in expanding wireless connectivity.

Uploaded by

touhidmarjan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Wireless TCP Congestion Control

1. Introduction to TCP Congestion Control

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) congestion control is designed to manage data flow across networks by

controlling the amount of data in transit. However, TCP was originally optimized for wired networks, where

packet loss usually signals congestion. In wireless networks, factors like interference, fading, and mobility

lead to different packet loss patterns, which can hinder TCP performance. Adjustments are necessary to

ensure reliable performance in wireless environments, where TCP congestion control must account for

unique network characteristics.

2. Challenges of Wireless TCP

Wireless networks face high error rates, fluctuating latency, and variable bandwidth, which complicate TCP

congestion control. Unlike wired networks, where packet loss often signals congestion, wireless networks

experience losses due to environmental factors. This leads to performance issues if TCP misinterprets these

losses as congestion.

3. Wireless TCP Congestion Control Approaches

TCP Westwood+

TCP Westwood+ estimates available bandwidth based on the rate at which acknowledgment (ACK) packets

are received. This method adjusts the congestion window size more smoothly, making it less sensitive to

non-congestion losses.

Selective Acknowledgment (SACK) TCP

SACK TCP enables receivers to report all segments that have arrived successfully, allowing the sender to

retransmit only the missing packets. This enhances recovery speed and conserves bandwidth.

Split-TCP

Split-TCP divides the TCP connection into separate wired and wireless segments, allowing each to manage

its congestion independently. This improves performance by isolating wireless losses from affecting the wired
part of the connection.

Snoop Protocol

The Snoop protocol operates at base stations by caching unacknowledged packets. When packet loss is

detected, the base station retransmits locally, preventing unnecessary congestion window reduction.

Freeze-TCP

Freeze-TCP allows mobile devices to notify the sender to pause transmission during brief disconnections,

such as cell handoffs. This minimizes packet loss and conserves bandwidth.

TCP Reno vs. Wireless Alternatives

TCP Reno uses an additive-increase, multiplicative-decrease (AIMD) strategy but struggles in high-loss

wireless environments. Protocols like Westwood+, SACK, and CUBIC provide more stable throughput by

better handling wireless losses.

Advanced Techniques: TCP CUBIC, Vegas, and BBR

These protocols incorporate enhanced congestion window adjustments. CUBIC, for example, is well-suited

for high-bandwidth wireless networks like LTE and 5G, while BBR optimizes throughput based on bandwidth

and round-trip time estimates.

4. Comparison and Performance Analysis

Wireless TCP variants like Westwood+ and CUBIC improve upon traditional TCP by adapting to wireless

conditions. Westwood+ is effective in environments with frequent packet loss, while CUBIC utilizes

high-bandwidth wireless links effectively. Comparisons of these methods typically measure metrics such as

throughput, latency, and energy efficiency.

5. Conclusion

TCP congestion control in wireless networks requires tailored strategies to maintain performance and avoid

inefficiencies. Techniques like TCP Westwood+, SACK, and CUBIC have shown promise in addressing

wireless network challenges by adjusting to the unique characteristics of these environments. As wireless

connectivity continues to expand, further advancements in TCP for wireless networks are essential to
optimize data flow and ensure reliability.

You might also like