A Multi-Priority Application Framework For Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

The fast spread of small wireless computers has enabled the design and deployment of wireless Ad Hoc networks. Typical applications proposed for such networks include both Real Time and Non-Real Time applications. We propose an architecture that provides a complete framework for Real Time applications and Best Effort traffic. The proposed architecture comprises of an Ad Hoc Routing Protocol for route setup and route repair, a Bandwidth Allocation and Reservation Scheme for Real Time traffic, and a MAC layer protocol that provides traffic differentiation. The Admission Control module is used to admit or reject a new Real Time flow request depending upon bandwidth availability along the route. The Rate Policing Protocol is used to reduce the flow rate of Best Effort traffic in order to make room for new Real Time flows. The bandwidth availability along a route is provided through Hello packets to the network layer, which, in turn, finds a suitable route for Real Time applications. The concept of Local Route Repair is also introduced to repair a route that might have been broken due to node mobility.