Analyzing Topology Dynamics in Ad Hoc Networks Using A Smooth Mobility Model

Understanding the impacts of node mobility on topology dynamics is essential to design a mobility resilient ad hoc network. Current research showed that mobility models can heavily affect the study of network topology due to different mobility patterns (Santi, 2005). In this paper, topology dynamics based on the smooth model (Zhao and Wang, 2006) was analyzed, because it generates smooth, microscopic nodal movements, has no speed decay problem, and maintains a uniform spatial node distribution. Specifically, two topology metrics: expected link lifetime and expected link change rate were studied by using a distance transition probability matrix P. By this means, the link existence based on the present distance between a pair of nodes and their relative speed were predicted. The analytical results of topology dynamics are validated by extensive simulations. In addition, by combining graph theory and queuing theory, the topology metrics expected link lifetime and expected link change rate was applied to formulate the upper bound connectivity of a mobile ad hoc network.