Efficient Routing in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks: A Protocol Performance Comparison

MANETs do not have any infrastructure, but instead rely on dynamic routing protocols to manage node mobilityand changes in network topology. In this paper, four of themost popular MANET routing protocols: AODV, OLSR, DSDV,and TORA are analyzed and compared. Some key performancemetrics include packet delivery ratio, number of packets receivedwithin simulation time, and efficiency regarding packets overtransmission power. Every protocol has specific merits anddemerits in all of the above conditions and may be suitablycomparable based on the suitability for some MANET application. Results of this work also show that although TORAachieves higher packet delivery rates under fluctuating networkloads, AODV and OLSR achieve much better stability underlow mobility. It will help in choosing the right routing protocolssuitable for all different MANET scenarios and, thus, improvemobile wireless networks’ performance and reliability