Movement Speed Based Inter-probe Times for Neighbour Discovery in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

It is widely known that topology, wireless range, and the movement patterns of devices often impose severe limitations on the ability of devices to communicate in Mobile Wireless Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs). However, there has been less research into the effect of devices’ movement speeds on network connectivity. In this paper we will look at two commonly used MANET movement patterns, Working Day Movement (WDM) and Random Walk Movement (RWM). This report will demonstrate using both of these movement patterns, that the time between neighbour discovery scans called the inter-probe time, can have a drastic effect on network connectivity. We will suggest a mechanism to choose inter-probe times based on the movement speeds of devices which can efficiently detect more than 99% of encounters between mobile devices carried by pedestrians. We will then propose a dynamic approach (PISTONS) which allows devices to alter inter-probe times based on context whilst preserving much of the network connectivity.