An Enhanced Power Based MAC Protocol for Wireless Networks

Power based connectivity is an ad hoc research topic. Implementing power control mechanisms enhance network life and to improve throughput, locate cost effective routes and spatial reuse. This paper uses MAC protocol to implement coordination functions and power control mechanisms through the use of fuzzy rules generated by upper network layers using two input variables like link quality and node neighborhood count with optimal power consumption level as the output variable. Experiments using fuzzy rules are compared to DSR routing and two hop power control methods. Result showed that two hop power control with fuzzy logic method yields lower route discovery time, increased cache replies, minimum simulation time and end to end delay when compared to DSR routing and two hop routing protocol.