An agent-based model for topology discovery and routing information fusion in mobile ad-hoc networks

Abstract

A mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) is a multihop wireless network where nodes communicate with each other without any pre-deployed infrastructure. The dynamics of wireless mobile ad-hoc networks as a consequence of mobility and disconnection of mobile nodes pose a number of problems in discovering topology and designing convergent and reliable routing schemes for effective communication between any source and destination. Therefore, topology discovery and routing information fusion issue is very important in the context of mobile ad-hoc wireless networks.
The proposed work uses an agent-based model to address the aspect of topology discovery and routing in mobile ad-hoc wireless network environment. Three kinds of agents are used: Manager agent (MA), Monitoring agent (MOA), and Discovery and Routing agents (DRA). MOAs of a node in a network are employed to monitor resources (transmit power, battery life, bandwidth, reliability, one-hop delay), whereas DRAs discover the links between the mobile nodes, perform routing information fusion and build pre-computed paths so that mobile users can communicate with each other based on the requirements (power/bandwidth/reliability/bandwidth and delay aware) of the network users. MA manages the activities of the discovery and routing agency. The model ensures network connectivity even under the conditions of uncontrolled mobility of nodes. Model has been simulated to test its operation effectiveness. It is observed that agent-based approach supports component-based software engineering features and facilitates flexible and adaptable discovery and routing information fusion services.