Authors: Associate Professor Dr. Santosh G Kupendra
Abstract: Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are highly dynamic, self-configuring networks composed of battery-dependent mobile nodes. A critical challenge in maintaining network stability is the premature depletion of node energy, which leads to frequent link failures, route breakages, and network partitioning. Traditional reactive routing protocols, such as the Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV), default to shortest-path route discovery based on minimum hop count. This conventional approach frequently overuses specific central nodes, rapidly draining their batteries and degrading overall network performance. This paper proposes a novel energy-aware routing framework utilizing an extended AODV protocol (AODV-EXT) to mitigate localized power depletion. The proposed architecture modifies the Route Request (RREQ) and Route Reply (RREP) mechanisms to incorporate a composite routing metric that evaluates both the residual energy of intermediate nodes and the transmission power required for the link. Instead of selecting the shortest path, the AODV-EXT framework dynamically routes packets through paths where nodes possess sufficient battery life, thereby balancing the energy consumption load across the network. Extensive simulations conducted across varying node densities and mobility models demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed framework. Comparative performance analysis reveals that the AODV-EXT approach significantly extends overall network lifetime, reduces the frequency of route rediscoveries, and improves the Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) compared to standard AODV, offering a robust solution for power-constrained MANET environments.
