Unlike an Ethernet connection, a wireless connection uses variable bit rates. Higher bit rates provide a better throughput, but they require a high signal quality at the receiver end. This is essential for error-free decoding. WLAN devices adapt their bit rate the first time a connection is made or if there is a change to the properties of the medium. This ensures that the device uses the best available bit rate.
Unlike the standard algorithm, the well-known Minstrel algorithm checks not only the neighboring bit rates, but all available bit rates. This is a quicker way of determining the optimal bit rate.