Using Existing Network Simulators for Power-Aware Self-Organizing Wireless Sensor Network Protocols

TL;DR

This paper compares three network simulation platforms to determine the most suitable environment for evaluating power-aware self-organizing wireless sensor network protocols, focusing on usability, scalability, and modeling accuracy.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of OPNET Modeler, NS2, and GT-Sensor Network Simulator for power-aware sensor network protocol evaluation.

Findings

GT-Sensor Network Simulator offers better ease of use and scalability.

NS2 provides accurate physical layer modeling.

OPNET Modeler has advantages in implementation flexibility.

Abstract

In this document, we compare three existing simulation platforms (OPNET Modeler, Network Simulator 2, Georgia Tech Sensor Network Simulator). Our comparative study focuses on ease of use, scalability, ease of implementing power consumption model and physical layer modeling accuracy, mainly. Conclusions of this study are presented, and will help us decide which simulating environment to use for evaluating power-aware self-organizing sensor networks protocols.