PRS-LD: priority-based rank selection load distribution protocol for routing in MANETs

Abstract

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are complex distributed network systems where nodes are selforganized & self-configured, move freely and dynamically forming temporary or arbitrary ad hoc network topologies. It has wide applications for communication in military and rescue operations. These networks behave like a supplementary form of network for the internet of things (IoT) and fifthgeneration (5G) networks. Routing is a major functionality of the network that generates paths for traveling data packets across the network. The characteristics and nature of MANETs make traditional routing protocols impractical for ad hoc networks [1].*Author for correspondence Single path routing protocols have been introduced in the literature [2, 3] under two main categories named proactive and reactive routing protocols. Proactive routing such as destination sequenced distance vector (DSDV) [4] routing protocol consumes more energy because of large routing overhead caused due to maintenance of up-to-date information in routing tables of the node in advance, whereas reactive routing protocols such as ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) and dynamic source routing (DSR) suffer from route discovery latencies arising due to the execution of route discovery phase whenever route request (RREQ) is initiated. In a view of resolving the above issues, multipath routing protocols [5] were introduced. Multipath variants of on-demand MANETs routing protocols such as ad hoc on-demand multipath distance vector (AOMDV)