Modeling Sensor and Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract

This chapter introduces four major aspects of modeling ad hoc and sensor networks: distributed algorithms, communication, energy, and mobility. Commonly used formal models will be introduced as basis for the design and evaluation of algorithms solving problems in this domain. We assume basic knowledge about graph theory and algorithms.

In the introduction the terms ad hoc and sensor networks are defined and the OSI layer model is introduced, which provides several levels of abstraction for systems dealing with communication. Algorithms in the context of sensor networks are usually distributed, and thus basic concepts of the theory of distributed systems are summarized in Section 2.2. A big difference to classical distributed systems comes into play through radio communication: the problem of modeling the communication topology, which is assumed to be given in the classical theory of distributed systems, is discussed in Section 2.3. It is even possible that the communication network may change with time. Especially for sensor networks energy is the crucial resource, which is the topic of Section 2.4. Finally, in Section 2.5 mobility models are outlined, and we conclude with Section 2.6 giving references to the sources that have been used in this chapter and pointers for further reading.