Routing protocols and quality of service in electromagnetic nano-networks

Abstract

Electromagnetic nano-networks present unprecedented opportunities for biomedical monitoring, Software-Defined Metamaterials (SDMs), and quantum computing systems. However, they are constrained by limited power, short communication ranges, and dense node deployments. To address these challenges, this thesis conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) that classifies existing routing protocols based on data-centric, peer-to-peer, and data dissemination paradigms, identifying key research gaps and proposing three novel routing schemes that significantly enhance QoS while optimizing energy consumption and data delivery reliability. EECORONA introduces a set of energy-efficient flood-based protocols that reduce redundant transmissions and extend network lifetime through selective forwarding and probabilistic retransmission control. DCCORONA leverages a cluster-based multi-hop framework that improves data delivery reliability and mitigates network congestion in dense deployments through adaptive clustering and energy-aware routing. P2PAFS is the first framework to support peer-to-peer, upward, and downward communication modes, enabling flexible and dynamic routing in heterogeneous networks. Comprehensive evaluations demonstrate that the proposed schemes achieve notable improvements in Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), latency, throughput, and energy efficiency, positioning them as benchmark solutions for next-generation QoS-aware nano-networks.