A-LMST: An Adaptive LMST Local Topology Control Algorithm for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

The pattern of mobile nodes movement and node removals or additions cause frequent and unpredictable changes in the topology of mobile ad hoc networks. Network performance can thus vary significantly under different mobility models, as well as from the variation in parameters of a given mobility model, such as node movement speed and number of nodes in the network. Hence, the efficiency of a network depends not only on its control protocols, but also on its topology. In this paper, we first compare the impact that mobility parameter variations produces on typical network metrics - routing packets generated, routing overhead and route discovery average delay - in networks with and without topology control. Results from experiments in a wireless network simulator show that, in networks with topology control using 2 or 3 hops for route discovery depending on the node degree, the number of routing packets decreases, therefore improving the operation and efficiency of the network. Based on these results, a local adaptive self-configuration LMST topology control was then proposed and analysed, producing better results as the network size increases.