The generalization of information entropy to MANET metrics

A need exists to characterize Mobile Adhoc Networks, MANET, scenarios for modeling and simulation and testing purposes. A number of researchers have generalized Shannonpsilas information entropy to MANET associated metrics. This paper provides an analysis and critical review of two such metrics, relative motion entropy and energy entropy. We find that the relative motion entropy metric lacks the features to be useful for characterizing MANET node motion predictability, while the maximum energy entropy criterion leads to effective energy use by clusterheads communicating to cluster members. In both cases, the use of information entropy analogues is unnecessary if the metrics are used individually. Under those conditions, the parameters defined in the entropy framework can be evaluated directly. The information entropy analogue will be useful when disparate metrics are compared or combined. This can be either to assess the scenariopsilas difficulty when testing MANET protocols or in optimization routines designed to maximize protocol performance.