Evaluation and improvement in AODV for path establishment using bio inspired techniques

Mobile Ad-hoc Network consists of a set of wireless nodes communicating with each other without any centralized control and fixed infrastructure. In these self configuring networks, routing is a major issue because number of nodes can join or leave the network at any time. Various types of routing protocols are used to transfer data packets over a Network. These protocols are generally categorized into reactive, proactive and hybrid type. In our previous work, Ad-hoc on Demand Distance Vector Routing (AODV), Dynamic Source Routing (DSR), Destination Sequenced Distance Vector Routing (DSDV) routing protocols have been compared on the basis of end to end delay, packet-loss and throughput. After analysis of simulation results, it has been observed that AODV protocol performs well as compared to other protocols. Further improvement in the AODV protocol is also proposed for path establishment from source node to the destination one. The proposed improvement is based on bio-inspired techniques. The bio-inspired techniques chosen for this are cuckoo search and Ant Colony Optimization algorithm (ACO). ACO routing algorithms are based on the behavior of real ants which establish optimum paths between source and food by the means of releasing a chemical substance that is called pheromone. Cuckoo Search is inspired by natural behavior of cuckoos, particularly, the obligate brood parasitism's of some cuckoo species by laying their eggs in the nests of other host birds. The cuckoo search and ant colony optimization algorithm will search optimal path from source to destination. The path thus searched is compared with the AODV protocol and nodes which are common in the path are selected as the best nodes for the path. The protocol technique is simulated in NS2 software and it has been analyzed that it performs better in terms of throughput, end to end delay and packet-loss than AODV protocol.