A cross‐layer framework for multiple access and routing design in wireless multi‐hop networks

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper we explore the inherent coupling between MAC and routing in wireless multi‐hop networks attributed to interference. This is primarily motivated by the observation that shortest path routing could potentially lead to degrading the single‐hop MAC throughput which constitutes an upper bound on the end‐to‐end multi‐hop throughput. First, we formulate an optimization problem that maximizes the MAC throughput subject to path length, scheduling, SINR, and power constraints and establish bounds on the optimal performance. Second, we propose a novel cross‐layer routing framework (set‐based routing) that reduces problem complexity via resolving intra‐ and inter‐set interference among sets of spatially close transmitters. Third, we propose joint routing, scheduling and power control (RSP) to solve the problem within each set. Finally, we show, through simulations, that set‐based routing achieves not only 60% of the optimal performance for plausible scenarios but also up to 50% improvement over a generic reference system that represents a broad class of state‐of‐the‐art protocol stacks and uses minimum hop (MH) routing and collision‐free scheduling with no interaction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.