TCP performance issues over wireless links

This article discusses the problems arising when the TCP/IP protocol suite is used to provide Internet connectivity over existing and emerging wireles s links. Due to the strong drive toward wireless Internet access through mo bile terminals. these problems must be carefully studied in order to build improved systems. We review wireless link characteristics using wireless LA Ns and cellular communications systems as examples. We then outline the per formance problems of the TCP/IP protocol suite when employed over those lin ks, such as degraded TCP performance due to mistaking wireless errors for c ongestion. We present various proposals for solving these problems and exam ine their benefits and limitations. Finally. we consider the future evoluti on of wireless systems and the challenges that emerging systems will impose on the Internet protocol suite.