Forward focus: using routing information to improve medium access control in ad hoc networks

Abstract

Multihop packet forwarding is a vital process in an ad hoc network. All ad hoc networking protocols, but particularly routing and medium access control protocols, must work together in order for the network to be successful. However, current MAC protocols such as IEEE 802.11 do not consider this multihop nature at all. This work develops a modification to 802.11 that focuses on forwarding packets. Routing information is utilized to streamline the sharing of the medium, by allowing forwarding nodes to reuse an already-acquired channel. Using forward focus (FF), nodes are encouraged to participate in the forwarding process and are rewarded for doing so. Simulation-generated performance evaluations reveal that the result is a MAC protocol with improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Cross‐layer optimization for CDMA/TDD wireless mesh networks

“…Therefore, cross‐layer design has been considered as a promising method to improve the overall performance of WMNs. A lot of research efforts have been made on the cross‐layer design and optimization of WMNs 2–10. In Reference 2, cross‐layer optimization schemes and algorithms were investigated and summarized for different protocol layers.…”

“…In Reference 6, the data routing problem and the wireless medium contention problem were jointly optimized for multi‐hop multicast network. A medium access control (MAC) protocol with improved efficiency and effectiveness was proposed in Reference 7 to collaborate with routing protocols. These works mainly focused on the optimization of interference, multimedia services, quality of service (QoS), and maximum throughput with joint consideration of two or more layers.…”