We consider the problem of routing in intermittently connected networks. In such networks there is no guarantee that a fully connected path between source and destination exist at any time, rendering traditional routing protocols unable to deliver messages between hosts. We propose a probabilistic routing protocol for such networks.

/pdf/probabilistic-routing-in-intermittently-connected-networks-4bq5tjuqc9.pdf

Probabilistic routing in intermittently connected networks

Delay-tolerant Networking (DTN) enables communication in sparse mobile ad-hoc networks and other challenged environments where traditional networking fails and new routing and application protocols are required. Past experience with DTN routing and application protocols has shown that their performance is highly dependent on the underlying mobility and node characteristics. Evaluating DTN protocols across many scenarios requires suitable simulation tools. This paper presents the Opportunistic Networking Environment (ONE) simulator specifically designed for evaluating DTN routing and application protocols. It allows users to create scenarios based upon different synthetic movement models and real-world traces and offers a framework for implementing routing and application protocols (already including six well-known routing protocols). Interactive visualization and post-processing tools support evaluating experiments and an emulation mode allows the ONE simulator to become part of a real-world DTN testbed. We show sample simulations to demonstrate the simulator's flexible support for DTN protocol evaluation.

/pdf/the-one-simulator-for-dtn-protocol-evaluation-43eyc2za22.pdf

The ONE simulator for DTN protocol evaluation

This paper presents and analyzes an architecture to collect sensor data in sparse sensor networks. Our approach exploits the presence of mobile entities (called MULEs) present in the environment. MULEs pick up data from the sensors when in close range, buffer it, and drop off the data to wired access points. This can lead to substantial power savings at the sensors as they only have to transmit over a short range. This paper focuses on a simple analytical model for understanding performance as system parameters are scaled. Our model assumes two-dimensional random walk for mobility and incorporates key system variables such as number of MULEs, sensors and access points. The performance metrics observed are the data success rate (the fraction of generated data that reaches the access points) and the required buffer capacities on the sensors and the MULEs. The modeling along with simulation results can be used for further analysis and provide certain guidelines for deployment of such systems.

/pdf/data-mules-modeling-a-three-tier-architecture-for-sparse-n6wb6m1oqb.pdf

Data MULEs: modeling a three-tier architecture for sparse sensor networks

Topology Control (TC) is one of the most important techniques used in wireless ad hoc and sensor networks to reduce energy consumption (which is essential to extend the network operational time) and radio interference (with a positive effect on the network traffic carrying capacity). The goal of this technique is to control the topology of the graph representing the communication links between network nodes with the purpose of maintaining some global graph property (e.g., connectivity), while reducing energy consumption and/or interference that are strictly related to the nodes' transmitting range. In this article, we state several problems related to topology control in wireless ad hoc and sensor networks, and we survey state-of-the-art solutions which have been proposed to tackle them. We also outline several directions for further research which we hope will motivate researchers to undertake additional studies in this field.

/pdf/topology-control-in-wireless-ad-hoc-and-sensor-networks-3e17u396zt.pdf

Topology Control in Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks

Recently, many efforts have been made to develop more efficient Inter-Vehicle Communication (IVC) protocols for on-demand route planning according to observed traffic congestion or incidents, as well as for safety applications. Because practical experiments are often not feasible, simulation of network protocol behavior in Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) scenarios is strongly demanded for evaluating the applicability of developed network protocols. In this work, we discuss the need for bidirectional coupling of network simulation and road traffic microsimulation for evaluating IVC protocols. As the selection of a mobility model influences the outcome of simulations to a great extent, the use of a representative model is necessary for producing meaningful evaluation results. Based on these observations, we developed the hybrid simulation framework Veins (Vehicles in Network Simulation), composed of the network simulator OMNeT++ and the road traffic simulator SUMO. In a proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate its advantages and the need for bidirectionally coupled simulation based on the evaluation of two protocols for incident warning over VANETs. With our developed methodology, we can advance the state-of-the-art in performance evaluation of IVC and provide means to evaluate developed protocols more accurately.

/pdf/bidirectionally-coupled-network-and-road-traffic-simulation-59x3tw1e3m.pdf

Bidirectionally Coupled Network and Road Traffic Simulation for Improved IVC Analysis

In the performance evaluation of a protocol for an ad hoc network, the protocol should be tested under realistic conditions including, but not limited to, a sensible transmission range, limited buffer space for the storage of messages, representative data traffic models, and realistic movements of the mobile users (i.e., a mobility model). This paper is a survey of mobility models that are used in the simulations of ad hoc networks. We describe several mobility models that represent mobile nodes whose movements are independent of each other (i.e., entity mobility models) and several mobility models that represent mobile nodes whose movements are dependent on each other (i.e., group mobility models). The goal of this paper is to present a number of mobility models in order to offer researchers more informed choices when they are deciding upon a mobility model to use in their performance evaluations. Lastly, we present simulation results that illustrate the importance of choosing a mobility model in the simulation of an ad hoc network protocol. Specifically, we illustrate how the performance results of an ad hoc network protocol drastically change as a result of changing the mobility model simulated.

/pdf/a-survey-of-mobility-models-for-ad-hoc-network-research-ygkxat400x.pdf

Vanessa Davies

Papers

A survey of mobility models for ad hoc network research