Joint MAC network layer broadcast protocol for vehicular ad hoc networks

Packet dissemination ratio and end-to-end delay are the two most important metrics for multi-hop broadcast protocols in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). In this paper, we propose a joint MAC network layer broadcast protocol. The proposed protocol uses selected relay nodes to forward packets. A reliable communication is conducted between the sender node and each relay node by using MAC layer acknowledgments. The protocol can provide a low delay and high packet dissemination ratio by reducing the packet loss detection delay and providing retransmissions at the MAC layer. We show the effectiveness of the proposed protocol by using both theoretical analysis and computer simulations.