Sensitivity Analysis of Tactical Wireless Network Design Under Realistic Operational Constraints

TL;DR

This paper conducts a detailed sensitivity analysis of tactical wireless network design, examining how various parameters affect topology quality and performance under realistic constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic approach combining optimization and statistical tests to understand parameter impacts on network topology and performance.

Findings

Identifies scale-dependent technological transitions.

Reveals threshold effects in structural constraints.

Differentiates parameters affecting topology from those influencing performance.

Abstract

The design of tactical wireless networks reflects a complex interplay among structural constraints, technological choices, and underlying modeling assumptions. Although optimization-based approaches have been widely explored, the impact of configuration parameters on network topology quality and overall performance is still not fully understood. This paper presents a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of tactical wireless network design under realistic operational constraints. It systematically investigates three categories of parameters: (i) structural topology rules, including master hub selection; (ii) technological factors such as antenna beamwidth; and (iii) modeling parameters embedded in the objective formulation. Optimized topologies are produced using a Tabu Search metaheuristic, and statistical analyses based on the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests are performed to assess the significance of observed variations across different network sizes. The findings reveal scale-dependent technological transitions and threshold effects in structural constraints. The analysis differentiates parameters that fundamentally reshape network topology from those that primarily influence performance magnitude. Together, these insights provide practical guidance for parameter tuning and topology configuration in mission-critical tactical wireless deployments.