A Load-adaptive Timeout for Beaconing-based Link Protocols in Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract:
In a Beaconing Scheme (BS) each network node periodically broadcasts messages (beacons) to obtain and maintain an image of the network physical topology. Node’s mobility and issues related with the communication process could degrade the BS view accuracy. This work proposes a novel method to improve the BS robustness face to the communication process drawbacks. Assuming a homogeneous traffic load, each node uses the information given by the medium access control (MAC) layer to dynamically adapt the Beaconing Timeout value. Several simulation results evaluate the adaptive method performance using the IEEE 802.11b DCF protocol. We conclude that the BS accuracy can be improved even when node’s mobility is assumed.