| Wireless Local Area Networks are increasingly replacing the wired networks at a phenomenal rate due to the unrestricted mobility, ease of implementation, higher data rates and lower cost of equipment. The most important issue in wireless local area networks is the access of the wireless medium. This thesis discusses some of the medium access control protocols that are currently used in wireless local area networks. The medium access control protocols define a set of rules and procedures for the wireless devices to access the medium in an orderly and efficient manner. These medium access protocols are analyzed based on a set of criteria established for analysis, to determine the relative strengths and weaknesses of the medium access control protocols. Suggestions are then given to improve the performance of the protocols by eliminating some of the weaknesses identified. |
