VBF: Vector-Based Forwarding Protocol for Underwater Sensor Networks

Abstract

In this paper, we tackle one fundamental problem in Underwater Sensor Networks (UWSNs): robust, scalable and energy efficient routing. UWSNs are significantly different from terrestrial sensor networks in the following aspects: low bandwidth, high latency, node float mobility (resulting in high network dynamics), high error probability, and 3-dimensional space. These new features bring many challenges to the network protocol design of UWSNs. In this paper, we propose a novel routing protocol, called vector-based forwarding (VBF), aiming to provide robust, scalable and energy efficient routing. VBF is essentially a location-based routing approach. No state information is required on the sensor nodes and only a small fraction of the nodes are involved in routing. Moreover, packets are forwarded in redundant and interleaved paths, which add robustness to VBF. Further, we develop a localized and distributed self-adaptation algorithm, which helps to enhance the performance of VBF. The self-adaptation algorithm allows the nodes to weigh the benefit to forward packets and reduce energy consumption by discarding the low benefit packets. We evaluate the performance of VBF through extensive simulations. Our experiment results show that for networks with small or medium node mobility (1 m/s-3 m/s), VBF can effectively accomplish the goals of robustness, energy efficiency, and high success of data delivery.

DBR: Depth-Based Routing for Underwater Sensor Networks

“…VBF [17] is a geographic-based routing protocol designed for underwater sensor networks. In VBF, the packet delivery is guided by the vector from the source to the destination.…”

“…In this section, we evaluate the performance of DBR and compare it with the Vector Based Forwarding (VBF) protocol [17].…”

“…The communication parameters are similar to those on a commercial acoustic modem, LinkQuest UWM1000 [10]: the bit rate is 10k bps; the maximal transmission range is 100 meters (in all directions); and the power consumption in sending, receiving, and idling mode are 2w, 0.1w, and 10mw, respectively. The same broadcast Media Access Control (MAC) protocol as in [17] is used in our simulations. In this MAC protocol, when a node has a packet to send, it first senses the channel.…”

“…Recently, there are a couple of proposals for UWSN routing, such as VBF [17] and HHVBF [11]. All of them belong to geographic-based routing protocols and thus require full-dimensional location information of all sensor nodes.…”

Adaptive Underwater Acoustic Communications

“…The Vector Based Forwarding (VBF) protocol [6] aims to solve the problem of high error probability in dense underwater sensor networks by defining a routing pipe from the source to the sink and causing floods inside the pipe. In [7] a two-phase routing solution for long-term monitoring missions based on centralized planning of network topology and data-paths is introduced.…”