QoS Support for Cross-Layer Scheduling Algorithm in Wireless Networks

Scheduling plays an crucial role in providing quality of service (QoS) support to multimedia communications in different kinds of wireless networks, including wireless sensor networks, cellular networks and mobile ad hoc networks. The authors proposed a scheduling algorithm at the medium access control (MAC) layer for multiple connections with diverse QoS requirements, where every connection employs adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) scheme at the physical (PHY) layer over wireless fading channels. Each connection is assigned with a priority, which is updated dynamically based upon its channel and service status, the connection with highest priority is scheduled every time. The authors scheduler provides diverse QoS guarantees, uses wireless bandwidth efficiently, and enjoys scalability, flexibility and low implementation complexity. Its performance cab be evaluated via simulations.