Cross layer optimization in multimedia communications

An embodiment of a system for optimizing operation of a mobile station in a wireless communication network such as a WLAN by adapting the physical (PHY), medium access control (MAC), and application settings of a mobile station therein includes a network status estimation module to evaluate the channel conditions of a wireless channel to serve the mobile station in terms of transmission failure probability due to noise and interference, respectively, a transmission characterization module to determine expected network performance as a function of the settings of PHY, MAC and application parameters in the current channel conditions as evaluated by the network status estimation module, a quality evaluation module to determine the expected quality of communication for the mobile station as a function of different channel performance metrics, and a quality maximization module to interact with the characterization and quality evaluation modules to identify and select the settings of PHY, MAC and application parameters for the mobile station that provide an optimum quality for the mobile station.