LB2R: a load balanced & location based routing protocol for ad-hoc networks

Ad hoc networks, with limited resources and a highly dynamic nature, make routing unstable and challenging. Recently, the availability of small, cheap, and low-power GPS receivers has permitted location based routing for ad hoc networks to be realized. Location based routing significantly improves routing stability. Balancing routing load among mobile nodes not only reduces packet delay but also improves the route stability and system scalability. The paper proposes a location based routing protocol with load balancing capability for ad hoc networks. A grid system configuration is considered. We propose a dual GH (grid header) routing scheme. The routing load is balanced between two GHs to ease queuing delay and congestion on heavy nodes. In addition, a three-dimensional GH election protocol, which considers a mobile´s location, speed and remaining energy, is also designed to select GHs. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme obtains better performance in power consumption, routing load and end-to-end delay.