Abstract: Multipath routing can improve path availability in a mobile environment. Most previous research on multipath routing used UDP traffic for performance evaluation. We find that using multiple paths simultaneously may degrade TCP performance, due basically to frequent out-of-order packet delivery via different paths. This paper proposes a new way of improving wireless TCP performance based on DSR routing protocols through storage route, particularly when the nodes are fast-moving that cause route discontinuity. The sender enters a “frozen” state when packets are lost. Having found that packet drop is caused by route discontinuity, the route information that has been stored is used. This can reduce degradation of the TCP performance due to continual route request. Simulation shows that the proposed approach can significantly improve the TCP performance.

Key words: DSR routing protocol, wireless networks, Ad-Hoc networks, TCP throughput