SLSF: Stable linked structure flooding for mobile ad hoc networks

For some applications in ad hoc networks optimal dissemination is a key issue (e.g. service discovery, network management). In this paper, we are creating and exploiting stable (sub-)structures to achieve an efficient (as far as low network resource usage is concerned) dissemination by building a two-layer protocol. Firstly, single-hop clusters, among stable-connected devices, are created. Secondly, on top of those clusters, inter-cluster relays (ICR) are determined. This leads to an overall stable-connected structure. The results show that the proposed stable linked structure flooding (SLSF) protocol efficiently disseminates data among stable nodes. Interestingly with growing density both the number of forwarding nodes and the bandwidth used remain comparatively low. Therefore we plan to use SLSF as a basis for a stable service discovery.