Cross layer on-demand routing algorithm for mutli-hop wireless CSMA/CA networks

We investigate the impact of combined multi-rate and routing operations in multi-hop wireless ad hoc networks in which nodes employ 802.11-based CSMA/CA MAC protocols. To measure the ability of the network to transport traffic in a throughput effective manner, we employ the link-flow transport throughput capacity measure as a key routing metric. The latter measure considers multi-rate operations as well as instantaneous topological, loading and capacity availability conditions. We develop on-demand cross layer schemes that employ these transport throughput metrics for route discovery purposes. We compare the performance behavior of our schemes with that exhibited by those that do not use the link-flow transport throughput capacity function as a routing metric. We demonstrate the performance effectiveness of these schemes by evaluating three distinct network scenarios.