Abstract
A number of routing algorithms have been developed to facilitate routing in mobile ad hoc network (MANET). However, most algorithms merely implement the shortest path routing and do not adhere well to MANET characteristics, such as the trust and battery levels of the mobile nodes, crucially influence the suitability of the routing decision. In this paper, a new routing algorithm called electromagnetic-like mechanism routing (EMR) algorithm is proposed. The EMR is based on the electromagnetic-like mechanism (EM), which is an artificial intelligent algorithm with the potential for continuous types of problem optimization by simulating the attraction–repulsion mechanism of the electromagnetism theory. However, EM has to incorporate different types of search engines for it to be incorporated into MANET routing. Therefore, the updated quality threshold accepting algorithm is developed as the new decision making system of the search engine to be incorporated with the EM for route optimization and to build the EMR algorithm. The EMR algorithm selects the best route in MANET by optimizing the hop count, trust level, and battery-power level of the mobile nodes. The simulation results show that the EMR algorithm achieves better results in terms of packet delivery, normalized routing load, end-to-end delay, and throughput.