Probabilistic contention based forwarding in multihop packet radio networks

The forward echelon battle area (FEBA) presents specific challenges for the use of packet radio in forward area communications. The FEBA is highly dynamic due to mobility of friendly and opposing forces, the uncertainty of battle action, severe and rapidly changing electromagnetic environment (EME) and rapidly varying communications load. These characteristics create challenges for communications systems that are to provide resilient, reliable, and survivable communications in this difficult environment. Packet radio is being proposed as a technology that can meet the communications challenges of the forward echelon battle area. Use of packet radio in forward area communications demands that the packet protocols automatically adapt to arbitrary and unforeseen multihop network topologies and unpredictable traffic conditions. An automatically adaptive forwarding protocol for multihop packet radio systems is presented. This forwarding protocol is compared to classic incremental-source forwarding. Performance figures developed using a detailed simulation are presented.<>