Scale-free topology structure in ad hoc networks

Lots of real-world complex networks have recently been discovered scale-free characteristic, which the degree distributions of those networks display power-law distribution. The properties of mobile ad-hoc network and the conception of scale-free network are introduced firstly. Then, we focus on the inherent mechanisms of scale-free characteristic in ad-hoc networks. And the influence of scale-free topology on the structure of ad-hoc networks and the transformation of information between nodes is analyzed. Moreover, using the continuous rate equation approach, we obtain the analytical expressions of power-law degree distributions under the different network evolving modes. The results reported in this paper can be used to the design of network protocol and the management of network security in ad-hoc networks.