Ad hoc wireless networks with mobile backbones

Abstract

We introduce an ad hoc wireless mobile network that employs a hierarchical networking architecture and uses high and low capacity nodes. We present a topological synthesis algorithm that selects a subset of high capacity nodes to form a backbone network (Bnet). The latter is multi-tiered and consists of interconnected backbone nodes that intercommunicate across higher power (or regular) links, and also makes use of unmanned vehicles, both airborne (UAV) and ground based (UGV). For such a mobile backbone network (MBN), we introduce a protocol, MBNP, to implement the key networking schemes. The MBNP system serves to allocate resources across the network to ensure acceptable user application QoS performance, and also a highly robust backbone-oriented networking architecture. We introduce a new class of on-demand (MBNP-OD) routing algorithms that use the backbone network for selective forwarding of route-request messages, while striving to achieve an efficient MAC layer operation. We enhance these new protocols by incorporating link stability estimates to attain a robust routing operation. To ensure service quality for admitted flows, we introduce flow admission control mechanisms. We present new power control spatial reuse based algorithms for efficient utilization of the net MAC resources through the use of time slot allocations and of CSMA/CA based (IEEE 802.11 type) protocols. We present elements of the protocol and key involved algorithms, and illustrate the advantages offered by the MBNP system.