Interdomain routing for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs)

MANETs are highly susceptible to fluctuations in wireless link quality due to inherent mobility. Mobility results in frequent changes in the propagation environment. Periods of connectivity interspersed with periods of link outages occur with durations being a function of mobility patterns and suitability of protocols in handling such topological changes. Establishment of reliable routes between multiple MANET networks becomes a challenging problem that the traditional inter-domain networking based upon BGP/TCP connectivity cannot address. Of interest in this SBIR is the development of robust routing strategies to connect MANETs with heterogeneous links. We argue that an inter-domain routing framework for MANETs must consider attributes of individual networks to choose routers and routing protocols. We propose a framework BGP-MANET that is able to make router and routing-protocol decisions and adapt the choices to changes in attributes of participating networks. An approach is included to optimally select inter-networking routers and routing protocols as a function of MANET capabilities, MANET link failure behavior and optimization metrics of intra-networking protocols. A multi-modal optimization technique is proposed to accommodate ingress and egress node parameters within a framework comprising: Strategies in selecting inter-domain routers; Route computation strategy; Route Adaptation strategies with changing MANET behavior and deployment environments.