Research Paper:
Balancing Act: A Comparative Study of Routing Protocol Trade-Offs in MANETs
Mourad Kezai*
, Rafik Dembri**
, and Djamel Eddine Boukhari***

*University of Batna 1
Route de Biskra 05000, Algeria
**Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Sétif 1
El Bez Campus, Sétif 19000, Algeria
***Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et des Energies Renouvelables d’El Oued, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of El Oued
El Oued 39000, Algeria
Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are decentralized networks of mobile devices connected by wireless links, enabling various applications across domains. Research on MANETs often relies on simulations for efficient and replicable evaluations due to the absence of central administration and complex real-world scenarios. Effective simulation necessitates the integration of mobility models to orchestrate node movement. In this study, we explore existing mobility models, propose evaluation metrics, and conduct simulations to characterize, compare, and rank these models. Additionally, we analyze ad hoc routing protocols, focusing on packet delivery ratio, average packet arrival time, and total control packets. Notable protocols such as AODV, DSR, DSDV, and TORA are scrutinized, considering factors like node count and mobility, to provide comprehensive insights into their performance and efficacy.

Mobile ad hoc network routing protocol
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