Mobility Models for Next Generation Wireless Networks

Chapter 2

Modeling Next Generation Wireless Networks

Modeling is a substantial part of the network performance evaluation process. Modeling is important not only to devise an analysis through which performance parameters can be optimized, but also to develop accurate network simulation tools. Simulation is the primary performance evaluation tool for next generation wireless networks, for several reasons.

The primary reason for the extensive use of simulation in wireless network performance evaluation is that cost and logistic considerations limit the realization of large-scale testbeds. Large testbeds composed of, say, hundreds or thousands of nodes can be realized only through substantial, well-focused funding programs and R&D efforts, which only very recently are being implemented worldwide. Current state of the art next generation wireless network testbeds are typically composed of less than 100 nodes, most of the times being composed of only a few tens of nodes. Hence, if the scalability of a networking solution has to be assessed, then analysis and simulation are typically the only available tools.

Another reason behind the extensive use of simulation in wireless network performance evaluation is related to the repeatability of experiments, which is the basis of the Galilean scientific method. While exactly reproducing an experiment is difficult for networks in general, it becomes extremely challenging in wireless networks, which are very sensitive to changes in environmental ...