A Context-Aware Cross-Layer Broadcast Model for Ad Hoc Networks

The standard 802.11 medium access control (MAC) performs poorly for heavy broadcast traffic. We present our context-aware cross-layer (CACL) broadcast model as an alternative. CACL uses only contextual data available to the 802.11 MAC and so is usable by any routing protocol that uses the 802.11 MAC. CACL fits the total broadcasts in any two-hop neighborhood to wireless channel capacity. We compare collision rates for CACL and the 802.11 MAC and conclude that, for a wide range of network conditions, CACL offers superior reliability and throughput