SERC/LC3R: a new paradigm for cluster-based routing in MANETs

This paper presents a new paradigm to enhance the cluster stability and support the route reliability in the cluster-based ad hoc routing protocols. This paradigm is based on providing a secondary clusterhead (SCH) for each clusterhead, which we call here primary clusterhead (PCH). This SCH, which is a regular member node, is identified and assigned by its PCH to be the future leader of the cluster. The SCH will be triggered to be the PCH when the former PCH can no longer be a clusterhead. To enhance the cluster stability, this paradigm introduces a new protocol to reform the cluster, namely the smooth and efficient re-clustering (SERC) protocol. In SERC, since the future clusterhead is known by the cluster members, the cluster leadership will be transferred smoothly and the cluster will be reformed immediately with no need to invoke the clustering algorithm. To support the route reliability, this paradigm provides a new multipath routing protocol, which is named a localized cluster-based rerouting and resource reservation protocol (LC3R). In LC3R, the main route can be established through the PCH chains, while the backup route can be established through the SCH chains. In this study, we show how the SERC/LC3R works and how this paradigm can achieve a high packet delivery rate with saving clustering and routing overhead.