IMPACT: Investigation of Mobile-user Patterns Across University Campuses using WLAN Trace Analysis
Wei-jen Hsu, Ahmed Helmy

TL;DR
This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of WLAN traces from university campuses, revealing user behavior patterns, encounter dynamics, and network structure insights to improve wireless network modeling.
Contribution
It introduces new metrics and models for understanding individual and group WLAN user behaviors based on extensive campus trace data.
Findings
Most users are active for a small fraction of time
Encounter and friendship relations are highly asymmetric
Encounter patterns follow a biPareto distribution
Abstract
We conduct the most comprehensive study of WLAN traces to date. Measurements collected from four major university campuses are analyzed with the aim of developing fundamental understanding of realistic user behavior in wireless networks. Both individual user and inter-node (group) behaviors are investigated and two classes of metrics are devised to capture the underlying structure of such behaviors. For individual user behavior we observe distinct patterns in which most users are 'on' for a small fraction of the time, the number of access points visited is very small and the overall on-line user mobility is quite low. We clearly identify categories of heavy and light users. In general, users exhibit high degree of similarity over days and weeks. For group behavior, we define metrics for encounter patterns and friendship. Surprisingly, we find that a user, on average, encounters less…
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Taxonomy
TopicsWireless Networks and Protocols · Opportunistic and Delay-Tolerant Networks · Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
