Polar coordinate routing for multiple paths in wireless networks

We propose Polar Coordinate Routing (PCR) to create multiple paths between a source and a destination in wireless networks. Our scheme creates paths that are circular segments of different radii connecting a source and a destination. We propose a non-euclidean distance metric that allows messages to travel along these paths. Using PCR it is possible to maintain a known separation among the paths, which reduces the interference between the nodes belonging to two separate routes. Our extensive simulations show that while PCR achieves a known separation between the routes, it does so with a small increase in overall hop count. Moreover, we demonstrate that the variances of average separation and hop count are lower for the paths created using PCR compared to existing schemes, indicating a more reliable system. Existing multi-path routing schemes in wireless networks do not perform well in areas with obstacles or low node density. To overcome adverse areas in a network, we integrate PCR with simple robotic routing, which lets a message circumnavigate an obstacle and follow the trajectory to the destination as soon as the obstacle is passed.