MaxCD: Max-Rate Based Cooperative Downloading for Drive-Thru Networks

In this paper we propose MaxCD - a joint multi-flow scheduling and cooperative downloading protocol for drive-thru networks, with the goal of maximizing the amount of data packets that can be downloaded per drive-thru. Based on the macro-level opportunistic scheduling and node cooperation, the best wireless link(s) (with the highest data rate) between the roadside unit (RSU) and vehicular users are fully utilized. In addition, a multichannel collision-free relay mechanism is designed to address the reliable and fast data exchange issue when the vehicular users are outside the service area of the RSU. Our theoretical analysis vindicates the performance gain of the cooperation and extensive simulations demonstrate the efficiency of MaxCD.