Date of Award

8-2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Legacy Department

Computer Engineering

Committee Chair/Advisor

Russell, Harlan B

Committee Member

Noneaker , Daniel L

Committee Member

Wang , Kuang-Ching

Abstract

In this thesis, ad hoc networks with frequency-agile radios utilizing omni-directional and directional antennas form the basis of study. This work focuses on the selection of channel-access and routing protocols for these networks. Findings demonstrate that protocol selection must occur jointly in order to increase the efficient utilization of available spectrum while achieving maximum network performance.
In this thesis, we investigate several channel-access methods that provide different ways of selecting one of the heterogeneous non-overlapping channels for transmission. We also investigate a modification of least-resistance routing that accounts for the variations in transmission channels. Through simulation, we find that better network performance can be achieved when the channel-access and routing protocols are considered jointly. Additionally, we examine the difference in protocol selection when using a network consisting of terminals equipped with omni-directional antennas and when using a network in which some of the terminals employ directional antennas. Finally, we explore a channel busyness metric as a means of assisting with an adaptive, distributed protocol, while the development of such a distributed protocol is left for future work.

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