ALiSR: Agent Based Link Stability Aware Routing Protocol for Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract

A mobile ad hoc network MANET represents a system of wireless mobile nodes having random mobility and self-organization into an arbitrary and temporary network, allowing people and devices to seamlessly interact without preexisting communication infrastructure. The lifetime of a MANET depends on the durability of the battery resources of the mobile hosts. Earlier, several routing protocols have been proposed specifically for MANET, but most have not focused on the limitations of battery resources. The failure of these resources severely impacts a communications system during natural disasters and in crucial communication environments. This paper proposes a Mobile Agent MA based link stability aware energy efficient routing protocol that can increase the lifetime of the mobile hosts. A new link cost metric LCM is defined that is used during routing decisions. LCM is a measure of node and path stability. Simulation results indicate that this new link stability aware energy efficient protocol can extend the lifetime of a MANET and can be used in various mission critical applications.