On applying network coding to wireless ad hoc networks : A study of robustness, efficiency and cross-layer synergy

The technique of wireless ad hoc networks is utilized in more and more applications. Network coding is quite suitable for wireless networks to improve throughput. In this thesis, we analyse several issues on applying network coding techniques to wireless ad hoc networks. Several aspects, including the robustness, fairness, the coding efficiency and the possible synergy between network layer and application layer are studied. Specifically, we first propose a coding-aware routing protocol that is able to detect coding opportunities even if the order of arrival of packet flows is unfavourable to such detection. Then we dig deeper into the inner structure of the coding scheme and prove that coding-aware packet scheduling is pivotal in shaping the distribution of throughput among flows. Finally, the above-mentioned improvement is incorporated into a Peer-to-Peer content distribution protocol, capitalizing on the synergy between network layer and application layer.

Author dc:creator

• WANG JIN

• Network coding, wireless ad hoc network, content distribution, cross-layer, fairness, network dynamics