Ad Hoc networks - routing and MAC design

A tactical ad hoc network is an important component in future military communications. Such a network must be robust, self-forming, self-healing and be able to support different types of service requirements even in a high mobility scenario. To support Quality of Service (QoS) and high mobility careful design of the ad hoc network protocols is required. This report investigates issues concerning the control of ad hoc networks and in particular the design of MAC and routing protocols. Furthermore, the routing and MAC protocols need to interact with each other and also with other protocol layers. When designing the network control, there is a need to understand what can be done on a single layer as well as through cross-layer interactions. Different protocols are preferred in different situations and this is one of the main topics for our investigation. Another topic has been the networking benefits of using variable data rates. This report summarizes the three-year long Heterogeneous Ad Hoc Network project.