Combined Optimization of Packet Delay and Link Reliability for Selecting an Optimum Relay Node in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks

Abstract

Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) is an infrastructure-less self-organized wireless network where devices can travel autonomously in any direction. Reliable and robust data forwarding is a very challenging task over time-varying ad-hoc networks. Moreover, the process of a relay node selection is critical and calls for reliable packet propagation approaches to enhance the quality of service (QoS) in MANETs. This study proposes a technique called Ideal Relay Node Selection Approach (IRNSA) for reliable packet delivery in MANETs. This approach picks a node according to link reliability and packet delay for packet propagation. The tradeoff between maximum link reliability and minimum delay is modeled as a combined bi-objective optimization problem. At every instant, this approach finds all potential relays and the parameters of the bi-objective function are updated at each node. Subsequently, the best one is carefully chosen from the set of potential intermediate hops by means of a combined optimization approach. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed technique, different network configurations of mobile nodes are modeled with the homogeneous Poisson point method. The period of link availability of each device with their adjacent nodes is informed constantly and the relay hop is identified on an online basis. Experiments show that IRNSA provides lower delay and more link reliability (probability of data loss) for packet delivery in MANETs as compared to traditional single-objective optimization approaches. Furthermore, IRNSA also offers additional improvements in terms of coverage distance, message duplication cost, mobility tolerance, and link stability.