Research Publications

Vehicular ad hoc networks are another variation of wireless ad hoc networks where the nodes of the network are the automobiles themselves and may also include some fixed structures located beside the roads. This system allows the vehicles to communicate with one another to avoid collisions and provide up-to-date information about the traffic conditions. Location verification is a technique which is used to ensure that information about the location of vehicles being disclosed is correct. There are a few strategies of discovering a vehicle's current position to choose from. Some basic ones are looked at in some detail before an in-depth analysis of current schemes and protocols is presented. Most solutions found in the literature concerned with location verification are designed for wireless sensor ad hoc networks. As a consequence, some assumptions that are made include limited power source, a constant or slowly decreasing density or a network-wide cryptographically secure system to name a few. Not all assumptions should or have to be made for vehicular ad hoc networks which are designed for general public use. Each scheme presented in this chapter attacks the problem in its own unique way and is useful in different conditions. The proposed solutions are separated according to certain classification scheme which highlights some of their strengths and weaknesses. These solutions are investigaed in the context of providing location verification in vehicular ad hoc networks. Certain features are helpful for use in vehicular ad hoc networks while others are not. Noting these "pros and cons" are of importance in this chapter and is the basis of the final discussion and concluding remarks.