Game Theory based Incentive Mechanisms in Delay Tolerant Network

Abstract

Delay Tolerant Networking is the art and science of moving bits around in bad situations, such as between distant endpoints in deep space, or among unknown mobile users at uncertain positions. It is an opportunistic network where there is lack of end to end connectivity between source and destination, so that the communications take place using store-carry-and-forward manner. The rational parties send the bundle to its destination using the basic store-carry-and-forward method. DTN has a potential assumption that the nodes are willing to help other node for packet forwarding. But in reality, selfish behavior always exists. Many incentive schemes are proposed to address the selfish behavior of node. This paper analyzes a game theory based incentive mechanism to address the selfishness problem of node and stimulate the intermediate nodes to forward the bundles towards the destination node for better packet delivery.