End-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) provision to video-streaming applications over Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) poses a specially challenging problem. In this paper we propose a Cross-Layer (XL) network architecture design to optimize the overall performance of video-streaming services over MANETs, called ViStA-XL. The idea relies on applying several optimization strategies to different network layers in a holistic way. In our proposal, a real-time XL Optimizer (XLO) collects information about the node and network states from different layers of the network's protocol stack. Then, in order to minimize the error between received and transmitted video, the XLO module takes the necessary decisions to act dynamically over different layers' parameters. In addition, our proposal exploits path diversity as a mean to reinforce QoS provision to layered-coded video-streaming applications, by protecting the most important video information packets. To show the advantages of our approach, we have developed an algorithm based on ViStA-XL. Simulation results show that our proposed network design can improve the performance of videostreaming transmissions over MANETs in spite of frequent changes in network topology and node's conditions.
Mobile Ad hoc NETworks (MANETs) are nowadays being used much more than some years ago. One of the major reasons is the increasing number of devices that have risen lately capable of forming part of such networks. This situation makes feasible the development of new services. Especially, videostreaming is one of the most successful services demanded by the customers. In this paper we propose a QoS-aware multipath DSR-based (Dynamic Source Routing) routing protocol which helps to improve the reliability of the connections while balancing the load and decreasing the end-to-end delay. Several multipath routing designs have been evaluated seeking to get better global performance of the network. Besides, we propose a QoS-aware architecture that includes a cross-layer scheme in which a network layer scheduler manages different priority traffics and operates according to the IEEE 802.11e MAC (Medium Access Control) layer. Extensive simulations have been carried out to show the benefits of our scheme in providing different levels of QoS, including user-level QoS parameters.
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