Using bandwidth-road maps for improving vehicular internet access

Abstract

Thanks to the developments in the Wireless Wide Area Networking (WWAN) technology, e.g. the 3G, HSDPA, and WiMax, daily commuters now can access to the high-speed mobile data services from a fast-moving vehicle. However, in the vehicular environment, where users continuously change their geographic locations, the WWAN bandwidth fluctuates significantly, due to heterogenous wireless radio and network load conditions at different locations. This bandwidth instability presents formidable challenges to engineer a stable wireless access to the Internet. To guarantee a smooth connectivity, the underlying communication substrate will have to constantly adapt to the changing networking conditions.