Channel Modeling and Interference Analysis in IEEE 802.11a Wireless Communication Systems

Yu Zhang

¹School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710071, China

²School of Systems Information Science, Future University Hakodate, 116-2 Kamedanakano-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8655, Japan

*Corresponding author

IEEE 802.11a remains a key component for localized connectivity in fifth-generation (5G) networks and is widely used in smart homes, industrial IoT, and public WiFi hotspots. Due to the randomness and dynamic nature of wireless propagation channels, IEEE 802.11a systems are subject to unavoidable interference, including path loss, multipath propagation, shadowing, and Doppler effects. Although numerous studies have addressed signal interference in IEEE 802.11a systems, there is a notable lack of comprehensive overviews on state-of-the-art channel modeling and interference analysis in the existing literature. Specifically, critical challenges such as accurately modeling dynamic channel behaviors and analyzing the impact of the objective interference in wireless channels require further exploration. This paper provides a comprehensive review of channel modeling and interference mechanisms for IEEE 802.11a wireless communication systems. Based on the different sources, we first categorize existing interference into two types: multiplicative interference and additive interference. The former includes large-scale fading caused by path loss and shadowing effects, as well as small-scale fading resulting from multipath propagation and Doppler effects. The latter is further classified into thermal noise, adjacent channel interference, co-channel interference, and electromagnetic interference. Furthermore, we analyze the impact of these interference types on signal characteristics, including amplitude, phase, frequency, and time delay, and identify key gaps in current modeling approaches. Finally, we highlight future research directions, focusing on improving channel modeling techniques, developing interference-aware protocols, and developing cross-layer optimization frameworks for secure and efficient transmission in dynamic network environments.

Wireless communication system, IEEE 802.11a, channel modeling, interference analysis, physical layer transmission

Yu Zhang, Xinzhe Pi, and Meiyun Xie (2024). Channel Modeling and Interference Analysis in IEEE 802.11a Wireless Communication Systems. Journal of Networking and Network Applications, Volume 4, Issue 4, pp. 178–189. https://doi.org/10.33969/J-NaNA.2024.040405.

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