Ant Algorithms for Routing in Wireless ...

Wireless Multi-Hop Networks (such as Mobile Ad hoc Networks, Wireless Sensor Networks, and Wireless Mesh Networks) promise improved flexibility, reliability, and performance compared to conventional Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) or sensor installations. They can be deployed quickly to provide network connectivity in areas without existing backbone/back-haul infrastructure, such as disaster areas, impassable terrain, or underserved communities. Due to their distributed nature, routing algorithms for these types of networks have to be self-organized. Ant routing is a bio-inspired self-organized method for routing, which is a promising approach for routing in such Wireless Multi-Hop Networks. This chapter provides an introduction to Wireless Multi-Hop Networks, their specific challenges, and an overview of the ant algorithms available for routing in such networks.