A novel approach to traffic engineering for ad-hoc networks

This paper addresses the problem of optimal traffic engineering in a connectionless network. Based on Nonlinear Control Theory, the approach taken in this paper provides a family of optimal adaptation laws. These laws enable each node in the network to independently distribute traffic in an optimal way, as measured by a given utility function of a general form. Furthermore, this approach not only allows for multiple paths but also multiple Classes of Service. Moreover, the decentralized control scheme provided enables optimal traffic redistribution in the case of link failures. Suboptimal control laws are also presented in an effort to reduce the computational burden imposed on the nodes of the network.