English

Fading Improves Connectivity in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks

Networking and Internet Architecture 2020-06-18 v2

Abstract

Connectivity analysis is a crucial metric for network performance in vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs). Although VANET connectivity has been intensively studied and investigated under no-fading channel models for their simplicity, these models do not represent real-world scenarios that suffer channel impairments. The connectivity probability in a multipath propagation environment is too challenging to be caught by a closed formula due to the emerging complexity associated with the randomness in a fading channel. This leads to contradicting statements about the impact of fading on VANET connectivity. In this paper, we numerically estimate the connectivity probability using graph-based Monte-Carlo simulations aiming for better understanding of the connectivity in fading channels. The results show that Rayleigh-fading channels reinforce the connectivity compared to no-fading models at the same level of transmitting power and vehicle densities. While these findings may seem counterintuitive, they agree with similar behavior that was reported earlier in other ad-hoc networks. Using simulations and stochastic analysis, we thoroughly investigate this effect and provide an intuitive interpretation of the positive impact of fading on connectivity.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1910.05317,
  title  = {Fading Improves Connectivity in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks},
  author = {Samar Elaraby and Sherif M. Abuelenin},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1910.05317},
  year   = {2020}
}