Analysis of Dynamics in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

Performance of routing algorithms nowadays is mainly analyzed based on mobility models, such as the well-known random waypoint model. It is not clear, however, whether these models actually reflect real user behavior. Therefore data is collected from a real network and analyzed with respect to node degrees, path lengths, route stability under different routing metrics, and connectivity to a fixed gateway in this student project. The underlying testbed consists of 20 iPAQs connected through Wireless LAN in ad-hoc mode. The main contributions are two mathematical models on the issue of route stability enabling the separation of route interruptions due to user mobility and due to critical links. This separation also enables a comparison of data collected from the testbed with the outcome of simulations based on mobility models. It is demonstrated that with respect to connection time between nodes the random waypoint model shows good match with the empirical network data. Perfect match is achieved with the random reference point mobility model, which is one of the most general group mobility models.