Timer-based distributed dissemination protocols for VANETs and their interaction with MAC layer

A key paradigm enabled by Vehicular Ad hoc NET-works is the support of location aware push-mode info-tainment services, besides the safety services that motivate the deployment of the technology in the first place. Message and advertisements are spread via multi-hop communications from the originating Road Side Units connected to the Internet. Support of such services relies on robust and efficient dissemination protocols. We define a timer-based vehicular backbone network protocol, where each vehicle can take forwarding decisions only based on the information read in the message header, its current state and local measurements. We analyze its performance taking into account the effect of the IEEE 802.11p MAC layer. A comparison with other literature dissemination protocols is carried out in a highway setting. © 2013 IEEE.