An analytical model of network connectivity in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks using spatial point processes

We investigate the network connectivity of Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) for a typical highway at the free flow state. We propose a new approach to model the spatial distribution of vehicles in a given area using the statistical properties of spatial point patterns. We consider the VANET as a homogenous Poisson point process in which the number of vehicles per unit area has a Poisson distribution. The main advantage of such an approach is its ease of translation to a practical system. Our proposed model provides an analytical result for the vehicles' nearest-neighbour distance distribution. We present simulation results to verify the obtained closed form solution of the network connectivity. Our model is verified by comparing it to real data obtained from the Bureau of Transport Statistics (BTS) NSW, Australia. The main advantage of our proposed model is reducing data acquisition in measuring of data, as the network connectivity can be studied dynamically using aerial images taken by aerial traffic monitoring systems. Another advantage is the ease with which arbitrary function for transmission coverage areas (e.g., antenna radiation pattern) can be included in the final closed form solution which shows capability and flexibility of the proposed model.