Efficient Models of Fine-Grain Variations in Signal Strength1
John P. Mullen · 2005
Permission to copy granted provided that the copies are not made or distributed for commercial advantage and this notice is included. Presently, there are great differences between the performance of Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) predicted by network simulators and actual field experience. One cause is that, although fine-grained variation in received signal strength greatly impacts the effectiveness of MANET routing protocols, it is almost never currently modeled. Although precise modeling of this variation is not feasible, it can be represented by rather simple stochastic models. This paper describes the impact of considering this variation in MANET models by means of modifications to the OPNET transceiver pipeline that portray fine-grained variation. This approach is highly efficient, requires little additional modeling information, and provides simulated data researchers may use to better predict actual field perfomance in order to better optimize OPNET routing protocols and their parameters.