New SCTP protocol extension for more robust Ad Hoc mobile networks

Due to their intrinsic characteristics, Ad Hoc mobile networks could be subjects to disturbances or node break-downs. The latter are worsened by the nodes relay and mobility features. A more sophisticated Multihoming integration to MANET networks necessarily increases its robustness: in other words, it improves its performances. That is why we suggest in this article a new extension of the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), named SCTP-MAN (Mobile Ad Hoc Network). Unlike the standard version of SCTP Protocol, the new extension exploits a cross-layer interface, and uses specific messages to minimize the average delay and to increase the average throughput.