A mixed data flow and local feedback in the resource allocation of Ad Hoc Networks

Resource allocation is an important topic in networks with inappropriate resource allocation causing congestion and unfairness to users. However, resource allocation is more crucial for wireless networks, in particular for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), as nodes interfere with each other due to each node being equally equipped with the same frequency of transmission and reception. In this paper, metrics of global data flow rate combined with local data drop rate are innovatively formed into an optimisation model to implement resource allocation. These metrics are interpreted as prices, in the same way as prices in the market place reflect the relationship of supply and demand. Global prices perceive a whole network utility and the local prices present the degree of local congestion. This is the criteria to implement global fairness and tackle local congestion. Also, an additive increase method is applied to the data rate, which is used to improve the utilisation of network.