Efficient Node Reconfiguration in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) for Wireless Internet Access Point Connection

Abstract

In this paper, we consider a multi-hop network where a mobile node can operate as a host as well as a router, helping other mobile nodes to connect to the access point. We propose a network reconfiguration algorithm to re-establish connections between mobile nodes, to achieve load-balancing for wireless access network. The current network topology is ignored, and by taking into consideration the mobility of nodes and the traffic load at access points, the destination node selects the best route to reach the access point. The proposed algorithm also aims to allow every node in the network to find a route to at least one of the access point. In this paper, we present a grid-representation that illustrates the distribution of nodes in the network based on the number of hops each node is away from the access points. This representation better illustrates the relationship between nodes in different regions in the network. We also define a new metric known as 'Index' for measuring the quality of each possible parent node, to which a node can connect to reach the access point. After reconfiguration is done using the proposed algorithm, NS2 network simulator is used to perform the simulations of the ad hoc network of 22 wireless mobile nodes. The performance of the algorithm will be evaluated based on the average throughput and average end-to-end delay.