CIPMAN: combining cellular IP and mobile ad hoc networks in a hop by hop all radio access network

Wireless radio networks are classified into two major types: infrastructure based networks and infrastructure less networks. Ad hoc networks, which have the infrastructure less property, are self organised and use self configuration when the topology changes. On the other hand, cellular IP networks are infrastructure based and allow hosts high mobility. This paper describes an approach combining both ad hoc and cellular IP models. Our proposal is to combine these two models to take advantage of their respective properties: ad hoc for flexibility, fast deployment and self-organising; cellular IP for high mobility and simplicity. In our model, cellular IP nodes form an ad hoc network and are connected at the same time to the mobile terminals in an infrastructure mode via another radio interface. This model does require neither a specific type of application to be used nor a particular underlying radio technology. Our goal is to obtain a multi-hop self-organised cellular wireless network. Simulation results are given to justify the benefits of our model.