Analysis of routing techniques in mobile ad-hoc networks

Abstract

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) are self-configuring networks of nodes connected by wireless connections without any form of centralized management. They are currently one of the most important research subjects due to the large number of different applications (military, rescue, etc.). In MANET networks, each node is both a terminal and a router. Therefore, each node must be able to forward packets to other nodes. Due to the mobility of the topology nodes, these networks tend to be frequent changes. Traditional routing protocols developed for cable networks cannot work effectively in MANET networks, so they are for them special routing protocols developed. Routing protocols are classified according to the way forwarding of packets in point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and broadcast routing protocols. The Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) is a dynamic network that enables wireless networking on the go without the need for a pre-built network infrastructure. It consists of moving nodes, wherein the node may be a human carrying a handheld computer equipped with a suitable wireless communication device, a laptop computer, an unmanned robot, or anyone equipped with suitable wireless communication equipment. An ad hoc routing protocol is a convention, or standard, that controls on how nodes decide how to forward data packets among other nodes in the MANET network. Effective mechanisms for routing protocols within MANET networks have been the subject of much research, some of which have become widely accepted standards. Routing protocols intended for use in traditional cable networks cannot be used in MANET networks. The specific characteristics of these networks require special routing protocols that address the identified challenges in these networks. The topology of mobile ad hoc networks can be dynamic and unpredictable. Traditional routing protocols used with cable networks cannot be directly applied to mobile ad hoc wireless networks, since many of the assumptions adopted are not valid in a mobile wireless environment. Thus, for example, one assumption is that a node can receive any broadcast message from other nodes within the same subnet. However, this is not the case for nodes in the wireless MANET network, due to the fact that bandwidth is limited in this type of network. Thus, the MANET network model introduces a number of challenges to routing protocols.