An access-based clustering protocol for multihop wireless Ad Hoc networks

The ad hoc network is a temporary wireless system without a fixed (wired or wireless) infrastructure. Many clustering algorithms have been proposed to partition mobile users into clusters to support routing and network manage ment. Most previous studies, however, focus on algorithm design, lacking an overall evaluation of clustering overheads, In this paper, we design a mul tiple access scheme for the broadcast of control messages, and propose a ne w access-based clustering protocol (ABCP) whose cluster formation is heavil y influenced by the outcome of the multiple access. By taking into account many delicate aspects in the clustering process, the ABCP provides a generi c, flexible, rapidly deployed and stable cluster architecture for the upper layer protocols, Simulation is used to compare ABCP with the other cluster ing strategy in terms of cluster stability and overheads, Since ABCP makes clustering decision directly based on the result of channel access, it requ ires fewer control overheads and has shorter convergence time than the othe r clustering criteria, We also demonstrate that the resulting cluster struc ture by ABCP behaves stable in face of topology changes.