Cross-Layer Self Routing: A Self-Managed Routing Approach for MANETs

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) generally adopt a peer-to-peer architecture in which the nodes themselves provide routing and services to the network. Disconnectivity with peer nodes, induced by mobility, power drains and damage makes route maintenance difficult and degrade the network´s ability to offer services reliably to its peer nodes. In this paper, we present a routing scheme for proactive management of such disconnections, by fusing and leveraging information derived from multiple levels of the network protocol stack using cross-layering. In addition to the disconnectivity information, this routing scheme utilises node´s service level information and data/service replication to provide service from an alternate source (if there is one) even in the absence of the targeted source. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements in route maintenance and service availability over other similar schemes.