Understanding BBRv3 Performance in AQM-Enabled WiFi Networks

Abstract

We present a modular experimental testbed and lightweight visualization tool for evaluating TCP congestion control performance in wireless networks. We compare Google's latest Bottleneck Bandwidth and Round-trip time version 3 (BBRv3) algorithm with loss-based CUBIC under varying Active Queue Management (AQM) schemes, namely PFIFO, FQ-CoDel, and CAKE, on a Wi-Fi link using a commercial MikroTik router. Our real-time dashboard visualizes metrics such as throughput, latency, and fairness across competing flows. Results show that BBRv3 significantly improves fairness and convergence under AQM, especially with FQ-CoDel. Our visualization tool and modular testbed provide a practical foundation for evaluating next-generation TCP variants in real-world AQM-enabled home wireless networks.