Connectivity of sparse vehicular ad hoc networks with channel randomness

In this paper,we investigate the connectivity of vehicular ad hoc networks in free-flow traffic situationwith channel randomness.In order to illustrate the realistic environment,we consider that vehiclesare distributed in free-flow highway according to a Poisson point process,and signal propagation betweenconnected vehicles is subjected to log-normal shadowing effects.We obtain the distribution of the spaceheadway between successive vehicles and the distribution of signal coverage,which allows us to use theequivalent M/G/∞ queue theory to model the connectivity of VANETs in the form of average broadcastpercolation distance and average number of connected nodes.Then,extensive simulation studies are conductedto evaluate the obtained results.The analytical model presented here is able to describe the impactof various system parameters,including traffic parameters and signal propagation parameters on the connectivity.We use our analytical results,along with the common signal propagation data,to understandimpact of channel randomness on the connectivity of VANETs.