Optimized routing for video streaming in multi-hop wireless networks using analytical capacity estimation

•An analytical model that considers cross-layer factors for multi-hop wireless networks.•Based on the analytical model, a novel routing metric is proposed for video streaming.•Simulations using realistic video traffic verified our proposed metric.

Finding suitable routing paths for video streaming remains a challenging issue for multi-hop wireless networks, and previous studies rely on heuristics such as minimal hops or load-balancing. In this paper, we present an analytical approach that takes cross-layer factors into account and propose a new routing metric based on optimizing a queueing model that considers local loads, interferences and packet droppings. Through periodic traffic monitoring, routing nodes can estimate their capacity analytically, while a messaging protocol then helps establish the most efficient route. Simulation results obtained from using realistic video traffic have shown that our proposed routing metric outperforms existing routing metrics in several aspects.