Cross Layer Architecture of Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

While layered architecture performs to its own advantages & has lots of gains, traditional arrangement is not appropriate for the ad-hoc wireless networks. The main shortfall of the traditional layered model is that it forbids direct communication between two adjacent layers. Also the traditional structure cannot handles the aggressive wireless links thus giving rise to the overall low performance of the network as it is not supple enough to house the dynamics of a MANET. Therefore, Cross Layer Design is proposed in the said book to overcome the various issues of MANETS. In this work, cross-layer design is presented to deal with the architecture, routing protocols along with inter-layer interactions that is a superset of the standard interfaces provided by the reference layered architecture. Cross-layer design goes in contradiction of the concepts of traditional layered architecture. Information interchange between two or ever multiple layers without any restriction is common in cross-layer based design. This information from other layers help the layers in adjusting easily according to the scenario & network conditions.