Enhanced OLSR routing for airborne networks with multi-beam directional antennas

Abstract

This research targets the robust routing protocols in airborne networks (ANs). Particularly, we target the AN which is equipped with the latest antenna technology, called Multi-Beam Directional Antenna (MBDA) [1]. MBDA allows the simultaneously packet delivery in multiple directions without RF interference between directions/beams. We have found that MBDAs can actually bring new opportunities to enhance a popularly used AN routing scheme, i.e., optimized link state routing protocol (OLSR). In particular, MBDAs enable OLSR to better achieve low probability of detection (LPD), a critical requirement in many military applications with adversary nodes nearby which try to eavesdrop the signals. Therefore, we propose a multi-path enhanced OLSR, which is able to exploit the advantages of multi-beam transmissions and select the proper multi-point relays (MPRs) to easily reach all nodes by using only a small number of message broadcasts. An innovative method based on social network concept is used for the selection of MPRs in multi-beam OLSR. Finally, we have conducted the simulations and showed that the enhanced OLSR is suitable for mobile and dense airborne networks with LPD requirements.