Optimal Geographical Cluster Based Routing Protocol in Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks Using Hybrid Meta-Heuristic Algorithm for Network Lifetime Enhancement

Abstract

VANET is a subdivision of mobile ad hoc network (MANET), that has many applications in the areas of vehicular communication. To establish VANET, Medium Access Control and Routing Protocol must be developed. Due to development of technologies, there are several technical challenges in forming the network due to data congestion and poor network lifetime issues. To overcome these limitations, Optimal Geographical Cluster-based Routing (OGCR) protocol for VANET is proposed. In OGCR protocol, the clustering process will divide into two stages, first, the multi-hop cluster formation is performed by a Chaotic Ant Swarm optimization (CAS) algorithm, and then Cluster Head (CH) selection is performed by the degree of optimal cluster member’s metrics. CAS algorithm inspired from the conventional ant colony system, and it reduces the number of clusters, that ends with CH changes. In cluster routing, intra cluster communication aims to forward data from cluster members to CH. The mimic Differential Search (DS) algorithm utilized to perform the inter cluster communication i.e., data transfer between one CH to neighboring CHs, which reduce the unwanted communication overhead. Moreover, the optimal pathfinder algorithm used to reduce the extra time of exchange control packets (i.e., control overhead reduction). SUMO traffic generator and Network Simulator (NS-3) tool evaluate the performance of proposed OGCR protocol. Simulation result shows the effectiveness of proposed OGCR protocol compared to existing state-of-art routing protocols.