Ad hoc networks are completely wireless networks of mobile hosts, in which
the topology rapidly changes due to the movement of mobile hosts. This freq
uent topology change may lead to sudden packet losses and delays. Transport
protocols like TCP, which have been designed for reliable fixed networks,
misinterpret this packet loss as congestion and invoke congestion control,
leading to unnecessary retransmissions and loss of throughput. To overcome
this problem, a feedback scheme is proposed so that the source can distingu
ish between a route failure and network congestion. When a route is disrupt
ed, the source is sent a Route Failure Notification packet, allowing it to
invalidate its timers and stop sending packets. When the route is reestabli
shed, the source is informed through a Route Reestablishment Notification p
acket, upon which it resumes packet transmissions. Simulation experiments s
how that in the event of route failures, as the route reestablishment time
increases, the use of feedback provides significant improvements in perform
ance.