Evaluation of the Broadcast Storm Problem Based on Hybrid Retransmissions Algorithms in FANET Networks

Abstract

A flying ad hoc network (FANET) is a mobile ad hoc network (MANET) which comprises a group of flying nodes, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs), that communicate with each other. These networks are mainly used in emergency scenarios due to easy deployment and operation. In these networks, the method used to transmit packets is known as flooding. This method makes the nodes retransmit the received packet to all neighbors’ nodes, causing three issues in the network: redundant retransmissions, contentions, and collisions. These issues constitute the broadcast storm problem (BSP) which causes increased latency, packet loss, and unnecessary power consumption by the nodes. Some basic packet retransmission schemes have been proposed to mitigate these drawbacks such as applying probabilistic retransmissions, packet counter and distance between the sending and receiving node. Based on these techniques, hybrid algorithms have been analyzed to improve the network efficiency. The present work studies the performance of hybrid packet retransmission algorithms to reduce the BSP problem in FANET networks by comparing with the traditional operation. The results show the improvement of reachability, the reduction of retransmissions, and the lowering of power consumption.