Simulation Platform for Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Impulse Radio Ultra Wide Band

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive simulation platform for Wireless Sensor Networks using Impulse Radio Ultra Wide Band, addressing specific PHY and MAC layer challenges and enabling performance evaluation.

Contribution

It presents a novel WSN simulation architecture incorporating IR-UWB specifics at PHY and MAC layers, with reusable models implemented on GloMoSim.

Findings

Models pulse collision and propagation delay at PHY layer

Develops IR-UWB specific MAC protocols for WSN

Provides a scalable, reusable simulation architecture

Abstract

Impulse Radio Ultra Wide Band (IR-UWB) is a promising technology to address Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) constraints. However, existing network simulation tools do not provide a complete WSN simulation architecture, with the IR-UWB specificities at the PHYsical (PHY) and the Medium Access Control (MAC) layers. In this paper, we propose a WSN simulation architecture based on the IR-UWB technique. At the PHY layer, we take into account the pulse collision by dealing with the pulse propagation delay. We also modelled MAC protocols specific to IRUWB, for WSN applications. To completely fit the WSN simulation requirements, we propose a generic and reusable sensor and sensing channel model. Most of the WSN application performances can be evaluated thanks to the proposed simulation architecture. The proposed models are implemented on a scalable and well known network simulator: Global Mobile Information System Simulator (GloMoSim). However, they can be reused for all other packet based simulation platforms.