Cognitive multipath routing for mission critical multi-hop wireless networks

Mission critical systems utilizing multi-hop wireless networks require a more aggressive approach to service quality than single-hop wireless and fixed networks. Cognitive networking evolved from cognitive radio and cross-layer design to provide a framework for managing a dynamic network. Multipath routing mitigates packet loss at the cost of throughput, but requires improvements to minimize latency in discovering, maintaining, and traversing routes. A multipath routing architecture designed within the cognitive networking framework may improve service quality for mission critical multi-hop wireless networks. This paper introduces the protocol architecture, results of a functional analysis, and the way ahead for conducting a performance analysis.