A Simulation based Performance Analysis of PCF and DCF in WLAN

Abstract

In this paper, the performance of wireless local area networks (WLAN) has been analyzed with the aim to investigate the impact of PCF and DCF access modes under IEEE 802.11 MAC schemes. A detailed study about the behavior of DCF and PCF has been made using different parameters like network speed, packet size and load and the results obtained are duly reported. The paper also attempts to find an optimum condition for data traffic in multiple nodes in an infrastructure-based wireless network. In the review, it is tracked down that the PCF access mode surpasses DCF mode as far as throughput, delay and data loss.