COMM-Q, a Simulation Model to Determine Saturation Points in Nodal Type Networks
Richard A. Paradiso · TigerPrints (Clemson University) · 1989
Abstract : The phenomenon of saturation can be a severe problem in nodal type networks where many customers compete for limited resources. The identification of how and at what point saturation affects a network must be control measures can be applied to their network to avoid saturation. The objective of this thesis is to develop a computer simulation model to determine the point at which saturation begins to affect a specific nodal type network and to assess the performance of that network under various loading conditions. The model developed in this research is titled the COMM-Q model. The COMM-Q model represents the MSRT-RAU portions of the US Army's Mobile Subscriber equipment tactical communications system. The outputs of the COMM-Q model are the generic network performance measures: Link Utilization, Radio Utilization, Saturation Level and Grade of Service. The research reveals that network saturation will be a problem for the MSE network resulting in a low Grade of Service. The saturation level is highly dependent on call arrival rate and a very narrow transition range exists where the network shifts from a high saturation level and an acceptable grade of service. The call holding time is a predominant factor in saturation level in that it determines at what point this transition range will occur.