High throughput path selection for multi-path video streaming in Ad-hoc networks

Owing to the absence of any static structure, ad-hoc networks are prone to packet losses and link failures. Selecting the shortest path may not lead to high quality routes. The consequent high loss rates can lead to the degradation of throughput and increase in the end-to-end delay on the selected path, which can lead to devastating effects for the transport of compressed video. This paper suggests a selection mechanism for multi-path routing protocols that selects routes on the basis of the expected throughput of the candidate routes. We have studied the performance of the proposed mechanism by incorporating it into a multi-path routing protocol, and examining the quality of compressed video streams in this network. Simulation results show that the proposed selection mechanism maintains the video quality under different loss rates and mobility speeds. Also we have found that our mechanism significantly outperform shortest path selection.