An open-source framework for integration of wireless ad-hoc drivers into Linux kernel

Abstract

Research in mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) has been inprogress towards real-time implementation, such as routing protocols, real wireless ad-hoc routers, as well as device drivers for wireless network cards. However, little work focuses on the real-time architecture and open-source code analysis of components in MANETs node, namely the wireless ad-hoc router (WAHR). This paper, in contrast, concentrates on such an issue, i.e., the open-source framework for integration of open-source wireless ad-hoc drivers into the Linux kernel. In particular, we presents and discusses deeply the operation and the integration of Atheros ath5k and Broadcom b43 device drivers into the Linux kernel to implement a soft, real WAHR for the deployment of real-time ad-hoc applications. The open-source code of Atheros ath5k and Broadcom b43 device drivers are analyzed and discussed on different flows, including: i) Configuration Path; ii) Reception (RX) Path; and iii) Transmission (TX) Path. Finally, realistic scenarios are used to verify for the operations of ath5k/b43 device drivers and WAHR.