Multi-layer cooperative transmission protocol with VMISO and power control in ad hoc networks

We present a multi-layer protocol based on power control and virtual Multi-Input Single-Output (VMISO). Specifically, we discuss the influence of rate, cluster size, and transmission range of the VMISO link on the whole performance improvements, where the key physical layer property that we focus on is an enlarged transmission range due to cooperative diversity. Further, the new protocol, termed the Joint Multi-layer Cooperative Transmission Protocol (JMCTP) including the VMISO routing protocol and the novel MAC protocol, proposes the distributed approach of using VMISO links with a fixed cluster size, a given rate, and a certain transmission range, where we leverage the translation of physical layer advantages into higher layer better performances. Moreover, power control is applied to the MAC and routing layer, which increases the robustness to mobility and interference-induced link failures. Finally, we evaluate JMCTP with a flat Rayleigh fading channel model that accurately captures the nature of VMISO transmissions. As compared to using only SISO links and other VMISO links, our work achieves a great increase in the end-to-end throughput and a sharp decline in the end-to-end delay.