Simulation-Based Scalability Analysis of Mobile Ad Hoc Network Protocols

The exploding demand for computing and communication on the move has led to a significant need for ad hoc networks. However, there is relatively little understanding of the behavior of such networks, as they are scaled up, particularly for traffic withstrict Quality of Service requirements. The eventual goal of this SBIR is to develop MANET-Sim, a simulator for Mobile Ad hoc NETworks, with the ability to simulate wireless networks with thousands of nodes, in real time, on common desktop platforms thatare likely to become available within the next three years. In Phase II, we will develop a methodology and associated tools to support a detailed analysis of the scalability properties of routing protocols in mobile, ad hoc wireless networks (MANET).We will identify the metrics, experiments, and Measures of Performance (MOP); select a relevant set MANET protocols, and develop multi-fidelity protocol models as appropriate. An important result of this effort will be to identify specific routingprotocols that meet the various scalability MOPs that have been identified. It will also allow computation of the parameter bounds (size, number of hops, network traffic, etc.) within which a given ad hoc network can operate and still provide adequateperformance.