[aprssig] Smart beaconing and the tragedy of the commons

[Joel Maslak]

On May 23, 2007, at 9:10 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:

> "What kind of algorithm can we place on smart beaconing
> *settings* that can protect the network from improper settings.
> If we can come up with a consensus on how to implement it, then
> I think we have a great thing to go forward with and hope that
> Kenwood will implement it in the D710...


That I do not know.  Every ham radio I've ever seen allowed for use  
in a way which could harm other uses.

I looked at what I implemented in SmartPalm.

I have three "rate" settings:

1) Turn beacon rate
2) Fast MPH rate
3) Slow MPH rate

It will *NEVER* beacon more often than the lowest of these.  And the  
lowest if these should be reasonable.

The turn beacon rate determines what corners get transmitted.  It  
won't beacon a corner if it's beaconed a corner in the last "turn  
beacon rate" seconds.

The fast MPH rate determines how fast it beacons above the fast speed  
threshold.  After you go > then the fast speed threshold, it doesn't  
send beacons any faster.  If you go SLOWER than the fast threshold,  
but faster than the slow threshold, it slows down beacons so you are  
beaconing LESS than the fast rate, dependent on speed.

The slow MPH rate determines how often you beacon while slow or  
stationary (parking lots, creeping traffic, parked).

What do you set them at?  Well it depends on what you are doing.  If  
your goal is for your wife to see where you are on a cross-country  
trip, set the slow MPH rate and turn beacon rate fairly high.  Set  
the fast MPH to a couple minutes or so.  If you're goal is to follow  
a parade in a special event, set your turn rate fairly low, your fast  
MPH rate probably won't come into play, and your slow MPH rate should  
be fairly high.  Etc.

But if you have ideas for the Smart Beacon thresholds and rates,  
please let us know.  But I think the algorithm has adequate  
protection - if anyone sets any rate to 15 seconds on any kind of  
algorithm (including proportional pathing or dumb [Kenwood(tm)]  
beaconing), it'll cause an issue.