Abstract: Based on the special structure of k-hop cluster, presented a kind of cooperation framework for k-hop clustered Ad Hoc networks. Cluster heads utilize heuristic rules to select cooperative gateway nodes and set up adaptive intercluster cooperation. Neighboring gateway nodes cooperate with cluster-heads to manage the mobile cluster members and gateway nodes. When cluster head is moving, it transmits information to an optimal replacing cluster head selected by cluster head itself. Mobil agents roam between cluster heads of network and establish a cooperation of network scale. By this way, knowledge ranges of cluster head is enlarged efficiently. Simulating results indicate that this cooperation framework can manage the mobile nodes of k-hop clustered Ad Hoc networks and provide network scale cooperation efficicntly with moderate control overhead.

Key words: k-hop cluster, Ad Hoc networks, Cooperation framework, Mobile agent, Control overhead