Analysis of connectivity probability and hop count for multi-hop broadcasting in vehicular networks

In vehicular networks, multi-hop broadcasting is a frequently-used method to deliver messages. Safety-related messages from a source can be relayed to a distant vehicle, which may traverse multiple hops. Two important parameters affect the link availability and delay of multi-hop broadcasting-connectivity probability and average hop count. In this paper, a new analytical model for connectivity probability and average hop count is built for multi-hop broadcasting in vehicular networks, which take into account the following factors: propagation distance, one hop transmission range, distribution of vehicles, vehicle density, average length of vehicles, and minimum safety distance between vehicles. Analytical and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed model can provide better performance in terms of connectivity probability. Moreover, the proposed model sheds light on average hop count and gets closer to the practical environment.