A QoS oriented topological synthesis protocol for mobile backbone networks

We have recently introduced mobile backbone network (MBN) based architecture for ad hoc wireless networks. For such networks, we have developed a distributed stable backbone maintenance protocol identified as MBNP. In the latter protocol, we employ mechanisms that convert backbone nodes (BNs) to serve in a non-backbone role (and then identified as backbone capable nodes, i.e. BCNs) when the backbone topology can operate reliably (and at acceptable capacity level) without such BNs. This conversion serves to save power consumption. In turn, when backbone connectivity demands it (in response to nodal mobility), BCNs are converted back to act as BNs. In this paper, we extended the BN to/from BCN conversion algorithm to operate in a manner that also meets quality-of-service (QoS) objectives and network capacity limitations in best supporting network flows. We show our new integrated MBNP conversion protocol to be stable (inducing no conversion oriented oscillations). We demonstrate, through the use of simulations, the throughput efficiency of our new QoS based topology synthesis protocol, in reducing control overhead, relieving network congestion and supporting a larger number of flows.