We use a first-order finite-state Markov model to represent the average channel Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in subsequent frames. The MCS is selected in each state of this Markov model (among the choices proposed in the 3G standards) to maximize the statistical average of the throughput in that state. Using this decision-making approach, we also propose a simplified Markov model with fewer parameters, which is suitable in systems where changes in the fading
characteristics need to be accounted for in an adaptive fashion. Numerical results are presented showing that both of our models substantially outperform the conventional techniques that use a “threshold-based” decision making.