Comparative analysis of unicast routing protocols in MANET networks

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are self-configuring networks of mobile nodes connected by wireless links. Each node within MANET operates as an end system and a router for all other nodes in the network. Due to the dynamic nature of MANETs, traditional fixed network routing protocols cannot be used. Based on that, new routing protocols have been introduced in MANETs. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state-of- the- art of the existing unicast routing protocols for MANETs, and compare different approaches. For the purpose of this research, experiments are carried out in OPNET Modeler network simulator with the usage of reactive AODV and proactive OLSR unicast routing protocols. Data obtained in these experiments quantify and compare network performance, such as throughput, delay and network load.