Routing mechanism for a DTN using WSN nodes for localization applications

Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) are generally characterized by long and variable delays due to intermittent connectivity. This lack of connectivity make most of the existing routing protocols in WSNs not applicable in DTNs (The performance of such networks depends on connectivity and mobility of some nodes). We propose in this paper a new routing mechanism for a DTN using WSN nodes for localization or traceability applications. Our routing mechanism exploits node mobility by allowing stations that come into contact with fixed or mobile nodes, to collect, to exchange and even to pass around information called contact events, that need to be fetched towards a collect point. We defined rules (filters) to decide which contact event must be sent or dropped by nodes. We also define the modeling approach to reproduce mobile activities in confined environments such as mines. We also evaluate our routing mechanism through simulations representing mining activity for which a set of mobile nodes plays the role of miners.