Open AccessForward focus: using routing information to improve medium access control in ad hoc networks
Author(s) -
Ishibashi Brent,
Boutaba Raouf
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
wireless communications and mobile computing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.42
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1530-8677
pISSN - 1530-8669
DOI - 10.1002/wcm.443
Subject(s) - computer science , computer network , packet forwarding , wireless ad hoc network , network packet , optimized link state routing protocol , routing protocol , routing (electronic design automation) , distributed computing , telecommunications , wireless
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. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.