How does mobility affect the connectivity of interference-limited ad hoc networks?

One limiting factor to the performance of mobile ad hoc networks is the amount of interference that is experienced by each node. In this paper we will use the well established Random Waypoint Mobility Model (RWPM) to represent such a network of mobile devices, and show that the connectivity of a receiver at different parts of the network domain varies significantly. This is a result of a large portion of the nodes in the RWPM being located near the centre of the domain resulting in increased levels of interference between neighbouring devices. A non-trivial trade-off therefore exists between the spatial intensity of interfering signals and non-interfering (useful) ones. Using tools from stochastic geometry, we derive novel closed form expressions for the spatial distribution of nodes in a rectangle and the connection probability for an interference limited network indicating the impact an inhomogeneous distribution of nodes has on a network's performance. Results can therefore be used to analyse this trade-off and optimize network performance, for example through dynamic transmission schemes and adaptive routing protocols.