Channel models for vehicular communications

Abstract

Recent empirical studies have shown that correctly modeling the vehicular channel is imperative for realistic evaluation of VANET applications (Gozalvez et al., Telecommun Syst:1–19, 2010; Dhoutaut et al., Impact of radio propagation models in vehicular ad hoc networks simulations. VANET 06: Proceedings of the 3rd international workshop on Vehicular ad hoc networks, 2006). This is particularly the case for safety applications, where the correct reception of a single message can help avoiding an accident. With this in mind, this section focuses on vehicular channel and propagation models. We start by describing the basic propagation mechanisms that enable wireless communication. Next, we elaborate on specific considerations for vehicular channel modeling, including diverse environments where the communication takes place and the objects that impact channel modeling. We then classify the models based on the propagation mechanism scale, modeling approach, and suitability for a particular environment, among others. Using this classification, we overview the current state of the art in vehicular channel and propagation modeling and make a qualitative comparison between the models. Finally, to address the aspects of vehicular channel modeling that are not sufficiently explored, we provide some directions for future work.