A study on the performance of routing protocols for video and voice transmission in MANET-based disaster networks

Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) play a crucial role in emergency communication systems where conventional infrastructure fails, especially during natural or man-made disasters. This paper presents an in-depth performance analysis of video and voice data transmission over MANETs in disaster scenarios. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of three routing protocols—AODV, DSDV, and OLSR—under varying network conditions such as node mobility and density. Using NS-2 simulation, the study measures key Quality of Service (QoS) metrics including throughput, end-to-end delay, and packet delivery ratio. Findings reveal that AODV performs best in dynamic environments, with a Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) of 92%, an average end-to-end delay of 110 ms, and a throughput of 420 kbps under high-mobility conditions (30 nodes, 20 m/s). Conversely, OLSR showed superior performance in stable, low-mobility settings, achieving a throughput of 415 kbps. These results inform the development of robust communication systems essential for disaster recovery efforts.