Analysis of distributed packet forwarding strategies in ad hoc networks

Battery energy conservation and preventing selfish behavior are important, closely related issues in ad hoc networks. In this paper we demonstrate how using a strategy based packet forwarding approach can increase throughput in such a networks and at the same time can minimize the usage of resources of participating nodes. Each node is asked to use a strategy that defines conditions under which packets are being forwarded. Such strategy is based on the notion of trust and activity of the source node of the packet. We demonstrate that nodes applying such strategy use the network in more efficient way comparing to nodes not using such a reputation based packet forwarding. A genetic algorithm (CA) is applied to evolve good strategies, while for evaluation purposes of the strategies a game theoretical model of the ad hoc network is used.