Dynamical Topology Analysis of VANET Based on Complex Networks Theory

A Vehicular Ad hoc NETwork (VANET) is a special subset of multi-hop Mobile Ad hoc Networks, in which the vehicles wireless interfaces can communicate with each other, as well as with fixed equipments alongside city roads or highways. Vehicular mobility dynamic characteristics, including high speed, predictable, restricted mobility pattern significantly affect the performance of routing protocols in a real VANET. Based on the existing studies, here we propose a testing network according to the preferential attachment on the degree of nodes and analyze VANET model characteristics for finding out the dynamic topology from the instantaneous degree distribution, instantaneous clustering coefficient and average path length. Analysis and simulation results demonstrate that VANET has a small world network features and is characterized by a truncated scale-free degree distribution with power-law degree distribution. The dynamic topology analysis indicates a possible mechanism of VANET, which might be helpful in the traffic congestion, safety and management.