Dynamic multipoint virtual circuits for multimedia traffic in multihop mobile wireless networks

Multihop mobile wireless networks offer a means for providing a rapidly-deployable and fluid network infrastructure that enables "on-the-move" communications among nodes that may be widely-dispersed over a large area. These networks experience frequent changes in node interconnectivity and link characteristics, resulting from node movements and environmental changes. Such volatility in network state presents challenges in maintaining a desired quality of service over the life of a session, particularly if the session involves many participants. We have developed, simulated, and tested a network architecture designed to support distributed multimedia sessions in a multihop mobile wireless network. In this paper, we focus on the functions of construction, maintenance, and use of multipoint virtual circuits for transporting session traffic among mobile nodes.