Multicast Algorithm Based On Throughput Optimization In Wireless Multi-hop Networks

Wireless multi-hop networks are a special peer-to-peer network which is self-organizing, dynamically and reconfigurating. Efficient support of multicast group communications is critical for wireless multi-hop networks. This paper mainly discusses multicast throughput optimization problem in wireless multi-hop.The paper introduces wireless multi-hop networks and summarizes its routing protocols. Multicast routing protocols in wireless multi-hop networks are categorized into three kinds based on the routing building, which are tree-based, mesh-based and other structure. And it also can be categorized into three kinds based on the perspective of sloving problem, which are link-characteristic-based, energy-efficient-based and throughput-optimization-based. In this paper we study the multicast throughput optimization problem. The current algorithms of increasing multicast throughput usually aim at improving the link rate, regardless of the degrees of the multicast tree, which is the main factor that restricts the multicast throughput. In this paper we analyze the characteristics of wireless networks. On the basis of considering the effects produced by both the link rate and degrees to the multicast throughput, we present some algorithms applied in different wireless multi-hop networks entironment.When the MAC layer transmits with unicast, we present UUP_MTOA algorithm, which is applied in networks with the uniform transmission power, and UNP_MTOA algorithm, which is applied in those with non-uniform transmission power. And we also present BNP_MTOA algorithm applied in networks with the non-uniform transmission power and the MAC layer transmits with multicast. By comparing these algorithms with similar optimization algorithms in simulation, we come to a conclusion that UUP_MTOA, BNP_MTOA and UNP_MTOA algorithms can achieve higher throughput, and is available within distributed system such as wireless multi-hop network completely.