Optimized Broadcast in a Geographical Area of Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks

The technique of multipoint relays (MPRs) has proved its efficiency to optimize network flooding in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) and wireless sensor networks. Indeed, the number of redundant retransmissions of a message broadcast in a wireless network is reduced by ensuring that only a subset of nodes selected as multipoint relays are allowed to forward the received packets. The aim of this paper is to provide an efficient solution for broadcasting in a geographical area of a mobile ad hoc network or a sensor network. For this, we define several solutions based on MPRs and compare their respective performances with regard to an optimal solution. Unfortunately, this optimal solution cannot be implemented. A solution is constituted by two modules: the first one deals with MPR selection and the second one defines the strategy for forwarding the received information. We then present an example of application in a sensor network structured in various zones. Each zone is controlled by a robot in charge of replacing failed sensors. We evaluate the benefit brought by our solution in this specific context.