Coping with communication gray zones in IEEE 802.11b based ad hoc networks

ABSTRACT

Our experiments with IEEE 802.11b based wireless ad hoc networks show that neighbor sensing with broadcast messages introduces "communication gray zones": in such zones data messages cannot be exchanged although the HELLO messages indicate neighbor reachability. This leads to a systematic mismatch between the route state and the real world connectivity, resulting in disruptive behavior for multi-media data transfer over ad hoc routing protocols. Concentrating on AODV we explore this issue and evaluate three different techniques to overcome the gray zone problem. We present quantitative measurements of these improvements and discuss the consequences for ad hoc routing protocols and their implementations.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.1 Network Architecture and Design
          Subjects: Wireless communication

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.2 Network Protocols
          Subjects: Routing protocols

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Measurement, Performance

Keywords:
IEEE 802.11b, MANET, communication gray zone, gray zone, mobile ad hoc networks, real-world experiment, routing protocols