Information dissemination algorithms in space deployed ad hoc networks

Abstract

Based on recent trends, in the next few years there could be a lot of cheap devices placed on the surface of different luminaries like the planet Mars instead of sending one or two expensive space-probes. If there are many cheap instruments on the surface of a planet, it is worth using ad hoc networks. For such a network, using energy saving and robust solutions is crucial. We need a local and automatic coordination because of the far distance and the delays appearing in the interplanetary communication. We have dealt with a special type of ad hoc networks and constructed an information dissemination algorithm called SPIO which can collect and exchange data on a distant planet faster than the nowadays used point-to-point systems.