A network of fluid models and its application in MANETs (abstract only)

Abstract

Ad hoc mobile networks are peer-to-peer systems whose successful operation depends on the nodes contributing the resources of their device. Nodes rely on portable energy sources, for example batteries, to transmit to each other. For the network to function, either the nodes willingly cooperate or their behaviour is influenced by an incentive mechanism. Building on work by Latouche and Taylor (2009) and assuming finite capacity buffers, we model each user's battery energy and credit balance as fluids, with the rate of increase or decrease of the fluid modulated by the network call occupancy. This results in a network of stochastic fluid models, which we analyse using a reduced-load approach. We study the resources required to ensure the network can maintain itself without having to drop calls and investigate the design of a credit incentive mechanism to discourage uncooperative behaviour in the sharing of resources.