Hierarchical Goal-Oriented Mobility Models with Applications to Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

The new class of hierarchical goal-oriented mobility models is introduced for the study of mobile ad hoc networks. The new models introduce role-based actors whose mobility behavior can vary in many different ways. The new models provide a flexible framework with aspects of both group (spatially correlated) and entity (spatially uncorrected) mobility models. The hierarchical rendezvous models in particular provide an abstract representation of civilian and military operations involving dynamic tasking of small teams that form, separate, and reform over time on an ad-hoc basis. The models were motivated by the authors´ research into protocols for highly directional delay tolerant MANETs for which the mobility model has significant performance implications. These are illustrated through simulation results of the authors´ Transient Information Level (TIL) protocol.