Abstract: An adaptive algorithm for reliable multicast in mobile cellular networks was proposed, with which, the information between the base stations and their neighborhoods was exchanged through a dedicated multicast group to control the amount of packets stored in their buffers. The number of base stations in multicast group for control was adjusted according to structure of the mobile network and the moving velocity of mobile hosts. The cooperation of neighborhoods base stations ensures that data packets could be reliably received by the mobile hosts in a multicast group. In the meantime, buffer capacities of base stations were saved. Simulation shows that the algorithm recovers the lost packets quickly with smaller buffers in the base stations. It concludes itself an effective mobile reliable multicast protocol.

Key words: mobile Internet protocol, mobile multicast, reliablemulticast