Performance of MPR-based broadcast methods in mobile ad hoc networks for rural terrains

With the aim of achieving robust broadcasting, the paper explores how the terrain affects different MPR-based broadcast methods. As a reference we consider the MPR selection method in OLSR and investigate methods for increasing robustness by the using of physical layer information and additional MPRs. It is also important to consider the overhead of these methods. To assess how terrain properties influence performance we consider mobile scenarios in different rural terrains. A channel model that mimics real radio transmissions and includes terrain effects is employed. The plane earth model is also tested. The terrain has a large influence on overall performance, and the results obtained with the plane earth model can produce misleading results. However, when determining how to select MPR nodes, network connectivity is the main criteria to use.