Improving Dynamic Routing Protocol with Energy-aware Mechanism in Mobile Ad Hoc Network

A Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is designed for specific communication needs, where nodes dynamically interact. In a MANET, mobile nodes self-configure and frequently adapt to changes in topology due to their ability to move freely. Each node operates as a router, forwarding data to other designated nodes within the network. Since these mobile nodes rely on battery power, energy management becomes critical. This paper addresses the challenges of routing in MANETs by improving the Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) protocol. The proposed enhancement, termed energy-aware DSR, aims to mitigate and reduce packet loss and improve the packet delivery ratio, which often suffers due to node energy depletion. Simulations conducted with the NS-3.26 tool across varying node counts demonstrate that the energy-aware DSR protocol significantly outperforms the traditional DSR in terms of efficiency and reliability.