On the Different Forms of Spanning Tree-based Broadcast Topologies for Mobile Ad hoc Networks

In this paper, we study the different forms of spanning tree-based topologies that could be used for efficient broadcasting in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). In this context, we consider the minimum distance-based, predicted link expiration time-based and the minimum velocity-based broadcast topologies, respectively referred to as MD-BT, LET-BT and MV-BT. The LET and minimum velocity-based broadcast topologies are characteristic of MANETs as the two topologies are constructed using link criterion that are based on the mobility of the nodes. We conduct extensive simulation study of these three broadcast topologies for different conditions of network density and node mobility. We identify the topology that could be used to optimize MANET performance with respect to critical quality-of-service parameters such as energy efficiency, stability and delay, measured respectively through metrics such as the edge distance ratio, tree lifetime and diameter. We observe tradeoffs between the different broadcast topologies with respect to the above three performance metrics. The MD-BT, LET-BT and MV-BT are best to optimize energy efficiency, stability and diameter respectively. There is no single broadcast topology that could optimize all the above three performance metrics for MANETs.