Reliable multipath routing with fixed delays in MANET using regenerating nodes

This paper proposes a new framework in mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) for reliable multipath routing with fixed delays based on packet level forward error control (FEC). The novelty of this work stems from the integrated optimization of the redundancy at the path and the FEC packet levels to arrive at the concept of the regenerating nodes. The regenerating nodes can reduce the packet loss rate (PLR) between the source and the intermediate nodes so that, eventually, the PLR between the source and the destination is minimized. In general, the residual PLR in the system is reduced to the PLR on the connection between the last regenerating node and the destination. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are provided to demonstrate the robust performance of the proposed scheme in the network environments with frequently changing topologies and PLR scenarios. The scheme accommodates various constraints for delay and reliability in terms of PLR that can be tailored to the specific applications, such as real-time multimedia services in MANET.