ePublications@bond

Predicting connectivity in wireless ad hoc networks

Henry Larkin, PhD (Awarded in 2006)
Bond University, School of Information Technology

Advisor

Zheng da Wu

Abstract

The prevalence of wireless networks is on the increase. Society is becoming increasingly reliant on ubiquitous computing, where mobile devices play a key role. The use of wireless networking is a natural solution to providing connectivity for such devices. However, the availability of infrastructure in wireless networks is often limited. Such networks become dependent on wireless ad hoc networking, where nodes communicate and form paths of communication themselves. Wireless ad hoc networks present novel challenges in contrast to fixed infrastructure networks. The unpredictability of node movement and route availability become issues of significant importance where reliability is desired.

To improve reliability in wireless ad hoc networks, predicting future connectivity between mobile devices has been proposed. Predicting connectivity can be employed in a variety of routing protocols to improve route stability and reduce unexpected drop-offs of communication. Previous research in this field has been limited, with few proposals for generating future predictions for mobile nodes. Further work in this field is required to gain a better insight into the effectiveness of various solutions.

This thesis proposes such a solution to increase reliability in wireless ad hoc routing. This research presents two novel concepts to achieve this: the Communication Map (CM), and the Future Neighbours Table (FNT). The CM is a signal loss mapping solution. Signal loss maps delineate wireless signal propagation capabilities over physical space. With such a map, connectivity predictions are based on signal capabilities in the environment in which mobile nodes are deployed. This significantly improves accuracy of predictions in this and in previous research. Without such a map available, connectivity predictions have no knowledge of realistic spatial transmission ranges. The FNT is a solution to provide routing algorithms with a predicted list of future periods of connectivity between all nodes in an established wireless ad hoc network. The availability of this information allows route selection in routing protocols to be greatly improved, benefiting connectivity. The FNT is generated from future node positional information combined with the CM to provide predicted signal loss estimations at future intervals. Given acceptable signal loss values, the FNT is constructed as a list of periods of time in which the signal loss between pairs of nodes will rise above or fall below this acceptable value (predicted connectivity). Future node position information is ideally found in automated networks. Robotic nodes commonly operate where future node task movement is developed and planned into the future, ideal for use in predicted connectivity. Non-automated prediction is also possible, as there exist some situations where travel paths can be predictable, such as mobile users on a train or driving on a highway. Where future node movement is available, predictions of connectivity between nodes are possible.

Year Manuscript Completed

2005

Subject Category

Computer Science (0984)

Keywords

Wireless LANs; Wireless communication systems; Mobile computing

Rights

The author has granted permission for Bond University to archive and make this thesis available in this repository. The author retains all proprietary rights such as patent rights, the right of attribution as well as the right to use all or part of the thesis in future works (such as articles or books). Use of this thesis is limited to private study or research in accordance with the Commonwealth of Australia Copyright Act, 1968 as amended.

Language

EN