Delay Tolerant Network Simulation

Delay Tolerant Networking (DTNs) is an approach to computer network architecture that seeks to address the technical issues in heterogeneous networks that may lack continuous network connectivity. Examples of such networks are those operating in mobile or extreme terrestrial environments, or planned networks in space.

Recently, the term disruption-tolerant networking has gained currency in the United States due to support from DARPA, which has funded many DTN projects. Disruption may occur because of the limits of wireless radio range, sparsity of mobile nodes, energy resources, attack, and noise.

To simulate the viability of DTNs in urban spaces I simulated New York Buses as data-mules.

The visualisation shows the changing DTN Intranet created by buses in New York when simulated. The following simulation visualises about 15 minutes of real bus data to show the potential Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) which could exist in New York (using just Bronx buses as WiFi routers). The network structure was simulated using a simulator which ingested data from the MTA bus API. The data was then visualised in Tableau.