Virtual Backbone Formation Algorithms for Mobile ad hoc Networks

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are created by the§mobile computing devices on an ad hoc basis without§any support provided by a§pre-installed communications infrastructure. Along§with their appealing properties, MANETs exhibit§properties that hinder their realization. Topology§dynamism and bandwidth limitations adversely affect§the performance of MANETs routing protocols. §Virtual backbone is proposed to facilitate routing,§broadcasting, and establishing a dynamic§infrastructure for distributed location databases.§Minimizing the virtual backbone size produces a§simpler abstracted topology of the MANET and allows§for using shorter routes. In this book, a §comprehensive study of MANETs routing and clustering §algorithms is presented along with a simulation-§based performance §evaluation of the most renowned§algorithms using the NS2 network simulator.§This comparison focuses on the total costs incurred§in terms of CDS size, running time, and signaling§overhead generated during the CDS creation and§maintenance phases. Moreover, the effects of §mobility rates, network size, and mobility models on§the performance of each algorithm are investigated.