A survey on dependable routing in sensor networks, ad hoc networks, and cellular networks

Abstract

The class of wireless and mobile networks features a dissimilar set of characteristics and constraints compared to traditional fixed networks. The various dimensions of these characteristics/constraints strongly influence the routing system, which is often regarded as the glue of a network. We introduce the concept of routing dependability describing the trustworthiness of a routing system such that reliance can justifiably be placed on the consistency of behavior and performance of the routing service delivered. We investigate this concept by analyzing the basic characteristics of various networks. Subsequently, we derive the most important attributes and impairments that contribute to routing dependability in sensor networks, ad hoc networks, and infrastructure-based cellular networks. Departing from state-of-the-art network designs, we extend our survey to cover future network architectures as well. We finish by briefly investigating possible directions and means that allow mitigating the deprivation of dependability. Sensor NetworksSensor networks for the collection, fusion, and communication of environmental information are considered to have an outstanding potential for research and application [1]. Basically, sensor networks are defined by the combination of miniaturized sensors with communication technology.Possible applications for sensor networks include the measurement of temperature/humidity [2], the collection of pollution data, the monitoring of weaknesses in building structures, and the detection of chemical agents, to name a few. A main advantage of distributed and collaborative measurements includes the non-obstrusiveness and the increased accuracy of the data collection [3]. These applications demand for smart but cheap sensors, which operate selforganized even under harsh environmental conditions.Currently, sensor networks are considered to evolve towards so-called "smart dust" if technological advance permits such miniaturization [4]. However, severe limits, for instance, in energy supply, costs, maintenance of once deployed sensor nodes and reliability of operation persist. These and other limits are especially important for the communication aspects of sensor networks as we show later. Ad hoc NetworksThe visions of untethered communications and pervasive computing make a strong case for the self-organizing operation of mobile and wireless nodes within ad hoc networks. Possible civilian application domains of such networks include inter-vehicular communications [5], disaster recovery, multimedia home entertainment, and zero-configuration personal area communications. Furthermore, there are few proposals for wide area ad hoc networks [6].All these applications have certain demands in common: either there is impromptu need for communication, or the absence of infrastructure commands the network to be fashioned from whatever resources are immediately available. Moreover, the autonomous and cooperative operation is inherent to the network nodes, which are terminals (end systems) and routers (inte...

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