QoS-aware node selection algorithm for routing protocols in VANETs

In this paper, we present a QoS-Aware node Selection Algorithm (QASA) for routing protocols to be suitable for a particular class of opportunistic networks, when applied to the Vehicular Ad hoc Networks. Our algorithm aims to select the next-hop vehicle to communicate with, by exploiting the "bridging approach" for message forwarding i.e., vehicles on the east (west) select from west (east). The QoS metrics that are being optimized are the throughput in the network, and packets end-to-end delay. In order to provide the best network performance, the algorithm utilizes a probabilistic rebroadcasting scheme based on different network parameters including vehicle density, inter-vehicle distance, and the transmission range for the vehicles. Moreover, QASA utilizes a transmission range-based metric that can be changed as per application requirements, whether it is high throughput or minimum end-to-end delay. Simulation results show the effectiveness of our approach in terms of improved QoS metrics in different vehicular network scenarios.