Tactical communication systems based on civil standards: Modeling in the MiXiM framework

TL;DR

This paper models civil communication standards, specifically IEEE 802.11n, within the MiXiM framework to evaluate their potential as military Wide Band Waveforms, focusing on MAC layer analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a novel modeling approach of IEEE 802.11n MAC layer in MiXiM for military waveform evaluation, filling a gap in prior analyses.

Findings

Model of IEEE 802.11n MAC layer implemented in MiXiM

Framework facilitates evaluation of civil standards for military use

Provides groundwork for further performance analysis

Abstract

In this paper, new work is presented belonging to an ongoing study, which evaluates civil communication standards as potential candidates for the future military Wide Band Waveforms (WBWFs). After an evaluation process of possible candidates presented in [2], the selection process in [1] showed that the IEEE 802.11n OFDM could be a possible military WBWF candidate, but it should be further investigated first in order to enhance or even replace critical modules. According to this, some critical modules of the physical layer has been further analyzed in [3] regarding the susceptibility of the OFDM signal under jammer influences. However, the critical modules of the MAC layer (e.g., probabilistic medium access CSMA/CA) have not been analysed. In fact, it was only suggested in [2] to replace this medium access by the better suited Unified Slot Allocation Protocol - Multiple Access (USAP-MA) [4]. In this regard, the present contribution describes the design paradigms of the new MAC layer and explains how the proposed WBWF candidate has been modelled within the MiXiM Framework of the OMNeT++ simulator.