NeTS-NBD: Efficient Routing in Delay Tolerant Networks

当前的分组网络依赖于一个基本假设，即在源和目标之间存在端到端路径。然而，在许多被称为延迟容忍网络（DTNs）的真实网络中，例如星际网络、野生动物跟踪网络和军事网络，这种假设并不成立。考虑到这一点，本项目设计了一系列适用于此类网络的高效路由方案。路由方法是创新的，因为它们利用了计划的、预期的和特别的连接。该工作还引入了一个分析框架来分析路由方案的性能，比较它们的行为并改进它们的设计。感兴趣的性能指标包括平均消息传递延迟、能源效率、网络吞吐量等。最后，工作包括在现实场景下对DTN路由算法的广泛模拟结果，以及在模拟包（如ns-2）中实现冠军算法。该项目的成果将提高空间探索、海底实验、野生动物跟踪和栖息地监测网络、内容分发特设车载网络等方面的通信能力。该结果有望提高DTN在美国宇航局深空研究计划和美国国家科学基金会南极计划中部署的准备程度。向资源不足的偏远地区、高纬度科学前哨站、游牧社区等提供互联网服务将成为可能。因此，该建议将产生广泛的社会和经济影响。

Current packet networks depend on the fundamental assumption that an end-to-end path exists between a source and a destination. However, in a number of real networks termed Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs), for example, inter-planetary networks, wildlife tracking networks and military networks, this assumption does not hold. With this in mind, this project designs a family of efficient routing schemes that are suitable for such networks. The routing approaches are innovative in that they exploit scheduled, anticipated, and ad hoc connectivity. The work also introduces an analytical framework to analyze the performance of routing schemes, compare their behavior and refine their design. Performance metrics of interest include average message delivery delay, energy efficiency, network throughput, etc. Finally, the work includes results from extensive simulations of DTN routing algorithms under realistic scenarios, and implementations of the champion algorithms in simulation packages such as ns-2.The outcome of this project will improve the communication capabilities in space explorations, under-sea experimentation, wildlife tracking and habitat monitoring networks, ad hoc vehicular networks for content distribution, etc. The results are expected to improve DTN's readiness for deployment in NASA's deep space research programs, and NSF's south polar programs. It will become possible to provide Internet services to under-provisioned remote areas, high latitude scientific outposts, nomadic communities, etc. Hence, the proposal will have broad social and economic impact.