Models for information propagation in opportunistic networks

The topic of this thesis is Opportunistic Networks (OPNETS), a type of mobile ad hoc network in which data are propagated by the movement of the network devices and by short-range wireless transmissions. This allows data to spread to many devices across large distances without the use of any infrastructure or powerful hardware. OPNET technology is in its fairly early stages of development and has a lot of potential for research. There are many applications that could benefit from OPNETS, such as sensor networks or social networks. However, before the technology can be used with confidence, research must be undertaken to better understand its behaviour and how it can be improved. In this thesis, the way in which information propagates in an OPNET is studied. Methodical parameter studies are performed to measure the rate at which information reaches new recipients, the speed at which information travels across space, and the persistence of information in the network. The key parameters being studied are device density, device speed, wireless signal radius and message transmission time. Furthermore, device interaction schemes based on epidemiological models are studied to find how they affect network performance. Another contribution of this thesis is the development of theoretical models for message spread in regions of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) space. These models are based on preliminary theoretical models of network device interaction; specifically, the rate at which devices move within range of each other and the length of time that they remain within range. A key contribution of this thesis is in acknowledging that data transmissions between devices do not occur instantaneously. Due to latency in wireless communications, the time taken to transmit data is proportional to the amount of data being transferred. Non-instantaneous transmissions may fail before completion. Investigation is made into the effect this has on the rate of information propagation in OPNETS