On the Effect of Cooperation in Wireless Content Distribution

In this paper we propose continuous time Markov chain models that capture the dynamics of content spreading in a disruption tolerant wireless content distribution system. We use our models to study the effect of cooperation among the mobile nodes and how limited node resources, such as battery lifetime and confined storage, affect the content distribution process. Based on our models and numerical results we deduce that limiting the number of times a node shares each content entry is a good method to conserve energy while at the same time only slightly reducing system performance. Our study also suggests that the effect of assisting nodes is greatest for content channels with few subscribers. For promoting fairness in distributing channels and giving new channels a chance to spread, assisting nodes should therefore solicit and help in spreading less popular channels.