Channel access algorithms with active link protection for wireless communication networks with power control

A distributed power-control algorithm with active link protection (DPC/ALP) is studied in this paper. It maintains the quality of service of operational (active) links above given thresholds at all times (link quality protection). As network congestion builds up, established links sustain their quality, while incoming ones may be blocked and rejected. A suite of admission control algorithms, based on the DPC/ALP one, is also studied. They are distributed/autonomous and operate using local interference measurements. A primarily networking approach to power control is taken here, based on the concept of active link protection, which naturally supports the implementation of admission control. Extensive simulation experiments are used to explore the network dynamics and investigate basic operational effects/tradeoffs related to system performance.