A Cross-layer Framework for Network-wide Adaptations and Optimizations in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Rolf Winter · Universitätsbibliothek der FU Berlin Hochschulschriftenstelle u. Dokumentenserver · 2006
The performance of mobile ad hoc networks suffers from the intrinsic bottlenecks found in these dynamic networks such as the error-prone wireless channel, from dynamics such as mobility, from limited resources such as energy and from the lack of servers, making typical problems distributed in nature. These networking conditions obviously differ significantly from those found in infrastructure-based networks and therefore simply adopting the protocols designed for networks such as the Internet can result in poor performance. Therefore, a plethora of new protocols and applications dedicated for the use in ad hoc networks was developed. Being much more suited for dynamic network environments, these protocols still miss the adaptability needed for changing networking conditions as they are largely statically parameterized and information not available to them is missing due to their strict conformance to the layered protocol stack principle. Cross-layer design allows protocols to exchange information available to them. Having additional data to base decisions on and to parameterize and to adapt protocol behavior can tremendously increase a protocol s performance. This document describes and analyzes CrossTalk, a cross-layer framework for network-wide optimizations and adaptations of protocols for ad hoc networks.