Network layer topology management for mobile ad-hoc networks and associated methods

A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) comprising:

• a plurality of wireless nodes, the MANET operating in accordance with a multilayer protocol hierarchy including a network layer and a data link layer having a Media Access Control (MAC) sublayer at each wireless node, and each wireless node comprising a controller and a wireless communications device cooperating therewith and configured to
• at the network layer, operate a routing protocol to discover routes to other wireless nodes within the MANET, the routing protocol including a global topology database storing global network topology information,
• at the network layer, provide the global network topology information from the global topology database of the routing protocol to the MAC sublayer, and
• at the data link layer, control the MAC sublayer to perform neighbor connection management based upon at least the global network topology information from the global topology database.

A wireless node for operation with a plurality of wireless nodes within a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), the MANET operating in accordance with a multilayer protocol hierarchy including a network layer and a data link layer having a Media Access Control (MAC) sublayer at each wireless node, the wireless node comprising:

• a controller and a wireless communications device cooperating therewith, and configured to
• at the network layer, operate a routing protocol to discover routes to other wireless nodes within the MANET, the routing protocol including a global topology database storing global network topology information,
• at the network layer, provide the global network topology information from the global topology database of the routing protocol to the MAC sublayer, and
• at the data link layer, control the MAC sublayer to perform neighbor connection management based upon at least the global network topology information from the global topology database.