An enhanced optimized link state routing (E-OLSR) protocol for efficient control messaging and load management in shortwave ad hoc networks

In shortwave self-organizing networks, periodic messaging can consume significant channel resources, increase network control overhead, and waste limited bandwidth, leading to a sharp decline in network communication performance. In order to solve these problems, an Enhanced Optimized Link State Routing (E-OLSR) protocol for a shortwave ad hoc network with low delay is put forward in this paper. The E-OLSR protocol combines an adaptive control message scheduling and a load-aware routing method by modifying the OLSR to enhance the process of route discovery and the MultiPoint Relay (MPR) selection algorithm. The protocol minimizes unnecessary overhead by adapting control message intervals to network conditions and by prioritizing critical updates messages. Meanwhile, load-aware routing is used for traffic balancing, congestion avoidance, and delay reduction. The proposed E-OLSR was experimented extensively on various network sizes ranging from 10 to 50 nodes. Simulation results demonstrate that the E-OLSR yields substantial improvements in terms of control overhead, packet delivery success rate, end-to-end delay, and throughput. Specifically, E-OLSR reduces control overhead by approximately 15% compared to II-OLSR and 25% compared to OLSR in a network with 50 nodes. Also, it achieves an 8-15% higher packet delivery success rate, decreases end-to-end delay by 30-40%, and improves throughput by 20-30% across varying network sizes. These results highlight the efficiency and reliability of E-OLSR in addressing the challenges of low-latency shortwave networks.