Distributed Cross-layer Dynamic Route Selection in Wireless Multiuser Multihop Networks

Abstract: In wireless ad-hoc networks, forwarding data through intermediate relays extends the coverage area and enhances the network throughput. We consider a general wireless multiuser multihop transmission, where each data flow is subject to a constraint on the end-to-end buffering delay and the associated packet drop rate as a quality of service (QoS) requirement. The objective is to maximize the weighted sum-rate between source destination pairs, while the corresponding QoS requirements are satisfied. We introduce two new distributed cross-layer dynamic route selection schemes in this setting that are designed involving physical, MAC, and network layers. In the proposed opportunistic cross-layer dynamic route selection scheme, routes are assigned dynamically based on the state of network nodes' buffers and the instantaneous state of fading channels. In the same setting, the proposed time division cross layer dynamic route selection scheme utilizes the average quality of channels instead for more efficient implementation. Detailed results and comparisons are provided, which demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed cross-layer dynamic route selection schemes.