Title: Extension of internet access to VANET via satellite receive-only terminals

Authors: Baber Aslam; Ping Wang; Cliff C. Zou

Addresses: Department of Information Security, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan ' Symantec Corporation, Heathrow, FL 32746, USA ' Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando FL 32816, USA

Abstract: The biggest challenge, to extend Internet connectivity to vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), is the requirement of pervasive fully networked roadside infrastructure. This requirement is difficult to achieve especially during the initial deployment phase of vehicular networks and also in the areas where roadside infrastructure is scarce. This makes solutions that are solely dependent on roadside infrastructure impracticable. Other solutions using cellular networks or symmetric satellite communication are either expensive or do not provide sufficient bandwidth and also make the transition to mature VANET difficult during later stages. We present a solution that complements the existing ones without requiring a fully networked roadside infrastructure. The solution uses satellite receive-only terminals and very few (widely spaced) roadside units to provide pervasive Internet connectivity. The solution is cost effective, incremental and practical. We present several different design options that can be used according to a given environment.

Keywords: VANETs; vehicular ad hoc networks; asymmetric satellite communication; low penetration; initial deployment; land mobile satellites; internet access; receive-only terminals; satellite terminals; vehicle communications; vehicular networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAHUC.2013.058235

International Journal of Ad Hoc and Ubiquitous Computing, 2013 Vol.14 No.3, pp.172 - 190

Received: 31 Oct 2011
Accepted: 22 Oct 2012

Published online: 11 Dec 2013 *

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