The Challenge of Directional Networking

Directional antennas are a means of increasing the capacity of mobile ad hoc wireless networks. A model for evaluating the potential benefits of directional networking is formulated. A number of case studies are discussed. Conditions under which directional antennas should increase the capacity of a network are summarized. Other conditions, under which the introduction of directional antennas necessarily degrades performance, are also summarized. Additional problems which the network layer must solve in order to realize the benefits of directional networking are considered.