An Introduction to Network Modeling and Simulation for the Practicing Engineer (The ComSoc Guides to Communications Technologies)

Clear guidelines and rules for using the latest modeling and simulation tools

With this practical guide as a reference, engineers and students can select and take full advantage of the best tools for network modeling and simulation (M&S). It alerts readers to all the potential pitfalls that can occur in developing and implementing network M&S, offering a clear set of rules to streamline the entire process and ensure the validity of results. The book focuses on wireless network M&S; however, the authors' expert advice, based on their own firsthand experience and review of the current literature, is applicable to network M&S in general.

An Introduction to Network Modeling and Simulation for the Practicing Engineer begins with a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of M&S as well as an overview of common M&S tools. Next, it explores the core components of wireless network M&S:

• Radio frequency propagation M&S
• Physical layer M&S
• Medium access control M&S
• Higher layer M&S

After discussing each of these components, the authors explain how they can be integrated in order to perform M&S of a complete wireless networking system. Throughout the book, examples guide readers through each M&S task, with descriptive diagrams providing additional clarification.

In many cases, M&S is the only viable way to understand the behavior of a proposed network prior to its deployment. Working with An Introduction to Network Modeling and Simulation for the Practicing Engineer, readers can ensure that their models and simulations are as accurate a reflection of reality as possible.

Jack L. Burbank leads the Wireless Networking section within the Communications and Network Technologies group of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). Mr. Burbank is an expert in the areas of wireless networking and modeling and simulation, focusing on the application and evaluation of wireless networking technologies to the military context. His team of network engineers at JHU/APL participates within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the IEEE 802 standards organization. Mr. Burbank is a professor of networking and telecommunications in The Johns Hopkins University Part-Time Engineering Program, and is a member of the IEEE and ASEE.

William T. Kasch received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology in 2000 and an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University in 2003. His interests include various aspects of wireless networking, including MANET, IEEE 802 technology, and cellular. He participates actively in both the IEEE 802 standards organization and the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Jon R. Ward works in the wireless networking section of the communications and networking technology (VCT) group at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) in Laurel, MD. He has worked projects focusing on network design and interference testing of standards-based wireless technologies such as IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15.4, and IEEE 802.16.