Converging time synchronization algorithm for highly dynamic vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs)

Abstract

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), similar to other distributed systems, often require a scalable time synchronization service enabling data consistency and coordination. In this paper, we propose a new time synchronization protocol for VANETs, which provides excellent scalability, accuracy and robustness for high mobility traffic scenarios. The new protocol, Converging Time Synchronization (CTS), is simulated using a reliable simulation platform. The results are analyzed and compared with the well-known Reference Broadcast Synchronization (RBS) protocol. The results show that CTS has better performance than RBS in high traffic flow scenarios.