Traffic-aware adaptive routing metrics for tactical ad hoc networks

In tactical environment, MANET (Mobile Ad Hoc Network) has the network characteristics which make highly dynamic nodes, self-organized in fully-distributed style. Also, it has a harsh wireless channel environment compared to the commercial networks. In these channel environments, optimal path decision suited for Quality of Service (QoS) of transmitted tactical traffics must be performed by recognizing various environmental factors of wireless channels and the status of tactical mobile radio nodes autonomously to construct reliable communication links. In this paper, we newly define the required QoS features of tactical traffics and the characteristics of routing metrics in tactical network environment. We also propose a new ad hoc routing algorithm to ensure an efficient communication in tactical environment by calculating the optimal path using adaptive selection of routing metrics according to traffic characteristics. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms existing ad hoc routing schemes, especially when tactical network has a high mobility and a high traffic load.