Improving the performance of TCP in structure-less networks with virtual infrastructures

Abstract

In structure-less (ad-hoc) networks, applying the retransmission rules of a reliable transmission protocol (e.g., TCP) without having a structured rerouting scheme is erroneous. We propose a versatile, virtual infrastructure to stabilize a rerouting scheme where, in essence, the scheme tries to slow down the dynamics of the network from the TTR (time-to-transmit) parameter point of view. Therefore, there is less deviation from the primary settings (set before the start of the session), and, during the session, less updating is required. The proposed virtual infrastructure with the same overhead (initialization and maintenance) enhances the routing protocol and TCP performance. We consider a joint routing and TCP design which is based on a virtual infrastructure. We discuss the necessary modifications on the sender's TCP to turn it to a structure-aware protocol to distinguish physical layer initiated problems from those related to routing. As a result, TCP performs fewer mistakes in recognizing problems within a predefined range of acceptance; meanwhile, less updating is required for TTR.