Abstract: Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) are decentralized networks where nodes communicate directly with each other without a fixed infrastructure. Routing protocols in MANETs are crucial for establishing efficient communication paths among mobile nodes. This paper presents a detailed performance analysis of four widely used MANET protocols— Dynamic Source Routing (DSR), Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV), Destination-Sequenced Distance Vector (DSDV), and Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR).

The evaluation is conducted using the NS-3 network simulator, focusing on three key performance metrics: packet delivery ratio, average throughput, and average delay. Through simulations in NS-3, this study provides insights into the comparative performance of these protocols, aiding in the selection of optimal routing protocols for MANET deployments. Additionally, the paper discusses the impact of network size, node mobility, and traffic patterns on the performance of these protocols, offering a comprehensive understanding of their behaviour in diverse MANET scenarios.

Keywords: MANET protocols, NS-3 simulation, performance analysis, packet delivery ratio, average throughput, average delay

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2024.11526