Performance Analysis of Cross-Layer MAC and Routing Protocols in MANETs

As Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) gains popularity, the need for suitable ad hoc MAC and routing protocols will continue to grow. Cross-layer design is an emerging proposal to support flexible layer approaches in MANETs. Less remaining hop More Opportunity (LEMO) algorithm was proposed to improve the packet delivery ratio and fairness among flows for multi-hop ad hoc networks through cross-layer interaction between MAC and the routing layer. The routing information about the total hops and the remaining hops required by a packet to reach its destination is exploited by the MAC layer in order to give priority to the packets that are closer to their destination. This paper compares the performance of LEMO algorithm by using DSR and AODV protocols at the routing layer and varying the mobility and the load conditions. With the help of performance metrics like packet delivery ratio, average end-to-end delay and normalized routing load, it is shown that cross-layering between DSR and IEEE 802.11 DCF performs better than cross-layering between AODV and IEEE 802.11 DCF.