A mathematical framework for link failure time estimation in MANETs

Abstract

Mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) is an infrastructure-less network of mobile nodes, connected by wireless links. Although mobility is the key characteristic of MANETs, yet the frequent movement of nodes may lead to link failure. This frequent topology change due to evasive mobility is one of the primary reason of Quality of service (QoS) degradation in conventional MANETs. If link failure time of already established root is estimated in advance, data packet loss can be avoided by exploring alternate path well within time. Thus, accurate link failure time estimation is one of the key areas that have drawn the attention of researchers of the ad-hoc networking community. This paper outlines a least-square quadratic polynomial regression-based technique for estimating link failure time by using the signal strength of received data packets. The distance between the transmitting and receiving nodes is calculated from the received signal strength of data packets. The authors have generated an optimal error quadratic model between this node distance and data packet arrival time. After quadratic model formulation, the link failure time is estimated by finding the moment at which the maximum communication range will be achieved for considered transmitter–receiver pair. A detailed analysis has been done for observing the behaviour of link failure time estimation accuracy of the proposed technique with varying network parameters. The repercussion of mobility variation on estimated link failure time has also been analysed. The proposed technique has also been compared with an existing interpolation-based technique. Network Simulator 2.35 has been selected as the primary simulation tool along with BonnMotion and MOVE tool for various mobility scenarios generation.