Cross-Layer Optimization for MIMO-Based Wireless Ad Hoc Networks: Routing, Power Allocation, and Bandwidth Allocation

MIMO-based communications systems have great potential to improve network capacity for wireless ad hoc networks. Due to unique physical layer characteristics associated with MIMO, network performance is tightly coupled with mechanisms at physical, link, and routing layers. So far, research on MIMO-based wireless ad hoc networks is still in its infancy and few results are available. In this paper, we consider the problem of jointly optimizing power and bandwidth allocation at each node and multi-hop/multi-path routing in a MIMO-based wireless ad hoc network. We develop a solution procedure to this cross-layer optimization problem and use simulations to validate the efficacy of this solution.