Cross-layer design: a survey and the road ahead

TLDR

Cross‑layer design proposals for wireless networks have proliferated across protocol layers and both cellular and ad hoc systems, yet a unified, holistic view remains missing. This article surveys the cross‑layer design literature, identifies ongoing work, and highlights open challenges and new opportunities. The authors define cross‑layer design, classify its types with literature examples, and categorize implementation proposals. The survey indicates that designers should begin tackling the identified challenges in future cross‑layer design work.

Abstract

Of late, there has been an avalanche of cross-layer design proposals for wireless networks. A number of researchers have looked at specific aspects of network performance and, approaching cross-layer design via their interpretation of what it implies, have presented several cross-layer design proposals. These proposals involve different layers of the protocol stack, and address both cellular and ad hoc networks. There has also been work relating to the implementation of cross-layer interactions. It is high time that these various individual efforts be put into perspective and a more holistic view be taken. In this article, we take a step in that direction by presenting a survey of the literature in the area of cross-layer design, and by taking stock of the ongoing work. We suggest a definition for cross-layer design, discuss the basic types of cross-layer design with examples drawn from the literature, and categorize the initial proposals on how cross-layer interactions may be implemented. We then highlight some open challenges and new opportunities for cross-layer design. Designers presenting cross-layer design proposals can start addressing these as they move ahead.