Multi-step increase of the forwarding zone for LAR protocol in ad hoc networks

This paper focuses on that class of routing algorithms using information about geographical location of the mobile nodes in wireless ad hoc networks. We propose a modification in the way of re-computing the forwarding zone of route request packets for the location-aided routing (LAR) protocol. The shape and extension of this zone influences the protocol performance in terms of control overhead, packet delay and loss. We study the impact of a multi-step resizing of the request zone on the LAR protocol performance, and make comparisons with other routing protocols (such as the original LAR scheme 1 and the promiscuous-dynamic source routing protocol). Simulation results show how our approach adds to the advantages of LAR scheme 1 the further advantage of reducing the control overhead.