Optimal Resource Allocation for Multicast Sessions in Multihop Wireless Networks

In this paper, the authors extend recent results on fair and stable resource allocation in wireless networks to include multicast sessions, in particular multi-rate multicast. The solution for multi-rate multicast is based on scheduling virtual (shadow) "Traffic" that "Moves" in reverse direction from destinations to sources. This shadow scheduling algorithm can also be used to control delays in wireless networks. Multicast sessions are expected to be a common form of traffic in emerging Mobile Ad hoc NETworks (MANETs).