A novel adaptive topology control in mobile ad hoc networks based on connectivity index

Mobile ad hoc networks or MANETs are infrastructureless wireless networks where each node can freely move and directly connect to the other nodes located within its transmission range to form the topology in any arbitrary pattern. Hence, to ensure network connectivity, each node tends to use the maximum transmission power to extend its transmission range. However, this maximized transmission range typically consumes more energy and consequently drains battery faster on mobile devices in these networks. Topology control is an effective technique proposed in ad hoc networks to ensure network connectivity while reducing energy consumption to prolong operation lifetime. In this work, a novel technique is proposed for an adaptive topology control to allow each node to optimize its transmission range while obtaining the compromising level of network connectivity. This novel topology control can be effectively carried out by allowing nodes to maintain the predefined value of Connectivity Index (CI) which is a famous topological index used in the field of mathematic, physic, chemistry, biology and telecommunications.