Performance evaluation framework and quality of service issues for mobile ad hoc networks in the MOSAIC ATD

This paper identifies and describes the issues facing quality of service (QoS) provisioning in multihop mobile ad hoc networks, particularly in tactical environments such as those described by the multifunctional on-the-move secure adaptive integrated communications (MOSAIC) advanced technology demonstration (ATD). The MOSAIC ATD focuses on integrating a highly adaptive communications infrastructure that supports the seamless flow of multi-media services across terrestrial and space based platforms using advanced QoS techniques, ad hoc networking, bandwidth management, and traffic scaling. The paper first discusses issues and challenges related to wireless communications in tactical mobile ad hoc networks and then describe some performance evaluation criteria that should be used to assess the capabilities of network protocols as they operate in such environments. It also identifies issues associated with QoS, presents some parameters that should be used to evaluate QoS support, and discusses some solutions in order to support QoS in ad hoc networks and wireless ATM. Finally it concludes with areas of future work that would be appropriate for the extension of QoS technologies.