Message Fragmentation in Disruptive Networks

In networks with unstable links fragmentation of a message into smaller pieces before transmission can reduce message blocking due to disrupted transmission and increase the utilization of contact durations; thus increasing the connectivity of the network for large messages. In this paper, the authors formalize message fragmentation in such networks, investigate the impact of fragmentation on message forwarding over a single link, and discuss fragmentation strategies for originating nodes. In Delay-Tolerant Networks (DTNs) created by opportunistic interactions among mobile nodes, communication links will go up and down frequently and the achievable transmission rate will vary.