3D MANETs: Link Probability, Node Degree, Network Coverage and applications

Underwater Sensor Networks (UWSNs) and Aeronautical Ad Hoc Networks (AANETs) are Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) that need to consider the 3D nature of the network. UWSN presents the opportunity for many applications such as coast surveillance, and 4D monitoring (space and time) for ocean and biology studies. In AANET, aircrafts can communicate among each other and enhance situation awareness. In this work we study the fundamental properties of 3D MANETs: Link Probability, Node Degree and Network Coverage. This work was motivated by fundamental problems currently faced in the deployment of underwater sensor networks and aeronautical ad hoc networks. Link Probability is important in MAC protocols development. Determining network coverage is important for sensing applications, i.e., how to guarantee sensing coverage. Node degree is useful in scheduling duty cycles. Since energy is a limited resource, utilizing duty cycles is a major technique to improve network lifetime. We present analytical results for link probability, node degree and network coverage for 3D MANETs assuming random uniform distribution. These results may be applied to a variety of scenarios, platforms and applications. In addition, we describe applications that would benefit from our results.