Analytical Model for N-dimensional Multi-Channel Data Dissemination in Opportunistic Networks

In opportunistic networks data dissemination is an important, although not widely explored, topic. Since opportunistic networks topologies are very challenged and unstable, data-centric approaches are an interesting directions to pursue. Data should be proactively and cooperatively disseminated from sources towards possibly interested receivers, as sources and receivers might not be aware of each other, and never get in touch directly. In this work we consider a utility-based cooperative data dissemination system in which the utility of data is based on the social relationships between users. Specifically, we study the performance of this system through an analytical model. Our model allows us to characterise the data dissemination process, as it describes both its stationary and transient regimes. This work aims to extend an analytical model previously obtained for a scenario of 2 channels, to the case of n channels. A case study for 3 channels is first introduced to better understand the n-channel general case analysis.