Information Search and Access in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs): An Agent Based Approach

摘要

Moving vehicles equipped with communication devices are exactly coincident with the idea of Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs). Communication is possible between vehicles within each others radio range as well as with fixed road side infrastructure components. Vehicular Ad-hoc Network (VANET) concept is an integral part of the intelligent transportation system (ITS), architecture, which aims to improve road safety, optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and so on. VANETs are a compelling application of ad-hoc networks, because of the potential to access specific context information (e.g. traffic conditions, service updates, route planning) and deliver multimedia services (VoIP, in-car entertainment, instant messaging, etc.). In this paper, we propose an agent based information search and access model for VANET. VANET consists of three-tier network architecture using Multi-Agent System (MAS) technology. The proposed scheme provides flexibility, adaptability and maintainability for traffic information dissemination in VANETs as well as supports robust and agile network management. We have simulated the proposed model in various network scenarios to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach. The results are encouraging and the observed advantages of the agent technology in VANETs are: flexibility, adaptability, customizability, maintainability and reusability. The agent technology also supports component-based software engineering.