Does Cluster Architecture Enhance Performance Scalability of Clustered Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Myeong L. Lim, Chansu Yu · International Conference on Wireless Networks · 2004
This paper explains and evaluates the performance of a cluster architecture-based routing protocol, called Link Cluster Protocol (LCP), in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). LCP shows better performance compared to one of the most popular ad hoc routing algorithm, called Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV), for various network scenarios, particularly with the clustered layout of nodes. This node arrangement is more practical in many potential MANET application areas and is contrasted with the random layout that most of previous MANET research assumed. Even though nodes are not uniformly scattered, the underlying cluster architecture based on LCP algorithm constructs a number of clusters quite uniformly in the network area and thus the adverse effect of non-uniform node arrangement can be effectively avoided. We measured the packet delivery rate, delay, and control overhead for evaluating the LCP based on ns-2 network simulator and found that the major benefit comes the reduced routing control overhead especially around hot spots where nodes are overly cluttered. Index terms mobile ad hoc networks; node clustering; clustered architecture; network scalability;