January 24 Presentation - more on Ad Hoc Networks

[Duncan Sharp <dsharp@planetworks.ca>]

Folks,

Below is the abstract from my MEng project report (which relates to the use
of ad hoc network concepts for next-generation mobile radio systems).  I
will present highlights to the group at this Friday's Network Modeling Group
meeting (presumably at 15:00 in ASB 9705).  Hope to see you there.

Cheers,  Duncan Sharp
604-638-3008

<snip>

Title:  Adapting Ad Hoc Network Concepts to Land Mobile Radio Systems

Abstract:  Ad hoc networks are networks of self-organizing user terminals
that form without the need for prior infrastructure.  In theory, an ad hoc
network could deliver adaptable, robust and rapidly deployable communication
services to meet the needs of public safety related agencies for emergency
response and disaster recovery operations.  In this project, I investigated
the potential to develop a next generation land mobile radio system for
public safety communications using ad hoc network architectures and
concepts.  I applied a four step methodology: (i) identify the communication
requirements of public safety agencies in terms of the types of services,
traffic characteristics and quality of service; (ii) explore current
technology and research relating to mobile ad hoc networks; (iii)
conceptualize a design for a hypothetical next generation network by
selecting approaches from the literature that should provide good results
against the needs of public safety; and (iv) assess the potential
performance of this hypothetical design.  Among the many factors considered,
the following four had a major influence on the design: (i) the dominant
communication need is half duplex multicast voice; (ii) in most instances
users have access to a vehicle; (iii) location information is becoming
economically available through the Global Positioning System; and (iv)
satellite-based mobile communications is available.  The hypothetical
network I propose is hierarchical with single hop "cluster nets" that are
interconnected by a dominating-set based "backbone net".  A satellite
network tier simplifies routing across large geographic distances and
provides a backbone of last resort for sparse networks.  For the cluster net
media access control, I applied the well known Packet Reservation Multiple
Access protocol.  The delay performance of this approach was investigated by
applying genuine traffic traces to a computer model of the cluster net.
Before a complete terrestrial-based backbone net can be developed, further
work is required; particularly in the area of multi hop routing.  A central
conclusion is that, although there are major challenges (e.g., spectrum,
network self configuration algorithms, routing protocols, standards and
security), enough critical elements are available that prototypes and simple
first generation systems can be built.