Using predictable mobility patterns to support scalable and secure MANETs of handheld devices

Abstract

Mobile ad-hoc networks of wireless devices (MANETs) hold the promise of providing network services without traditional infras-tructures that could fall victim to manipulation and censorship. Un-fortunately, current MANET systems suffer significant scalability problems, effectively precluding their use for general-purpose net-working. We suggest tailoring MANETs to particular classes of application and leveraging application-specific properties to increase scalability. This paper describes the design of a scalable and se-cure MANET for text-based personal communication. Our design is based on geographic routing and uses human motion and com-munication patterns to facilitate location tracking and distribution, thereby increasing scalability above that of traditional geographic routing. We provide location privacy by transplanting mix-net tech-niques into MANETs