A Novel Location-Based Content Distribution Protocol for Vehicular Named-Data Networks

The peculiar characteristics of vehicular networks (e.g., high vehicular mobility, poor wireless link quality and short-lived and intermittent connectivity among vehicles) challenge host-centric content search and distribution in vehicular networking applications. In this regard, recent studies have proposed information-centric protocols to improve content distribution in vehicular networks. However, they are still severely impaired by the highly dynamic nature of vehicular network topologies and the broadcast storm problem due to uncontrolled Interest packet flooding for content discovery. In this paper, we tackle the broadcast storm problem of Interest packet transmissions for content discovery in vehicular named-data networks. We propose the location-based content distribution protocol (LOCOS) for oriented Interest packet transmissions towards the proximity area of a recently discovered content source vehicle. The LOCOS protocol leverages the recently discovered location of a vehicle content source to controlled transmit Interest packets to the area where the content source is located. Simulation results show that the LOCOS protocol improves content delivery rate in 10% and 28% when compared with related work, while it reduces the content delivery delay in 80%.