A mobile multicast algorithm using agents for mobile ad-hoc users

We describe an improved agent-based multicast algorithm for mobile ad-hoc users. Mobile multicast agents (MMAs) form a virtual backbone of an ad-hoc network and they provide multicast tree discovery and multicast tree maintenance. However, they do not complete datagram delivery. In order to ensure reliable multicast, MMAs are also in charge of datagram retransmission. The improved mobile multicast algorithm can simplify the multicast tree discovery, reduce control overhead of the network, and increase the total network throughput, in comparison with general AODV multicast operation. At the same time, it can also save battery power and transmission capabilities of those MMAs since they are only used to transfer control information and retransmitted packets. Hence we avoid draining the resources of some mobile nodes (MMAs), which is unfair.