Reliable multicast in wireless ad hoc and sensor networks

In this paper, we study the application of four known classes of wired reliable multicast protocols in ad hoc and sensor networks. These classes are: sender-initiated, receiver-initiated, tree-based and ring-based. Using several simulation scenarios, we observe the behavior of representative protocols for each category in reacting to various testing stimuli in wireless ad hoc networks, and compare their performances. We demonstrate that wired reliable multicast protocols may not always be adequate for wireless ad hoc networks. Based on observations from our simulation results, we make recommendations on how the performance of such protocols can be improved to be amenable to wireless ad hoc and/or sensor networks.