A realistic mobility model with irregular obstacle constraints for mobile ad hoc networks

Abstract

The nature of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) makes simulation research provide invaluable support for investigating mobile networking protocols, services and applications. Mobility is one of the main factors in simulation of MANETs, due to the fact that it has a strong impact on the design and performance of the networks. Mobility modeling has been an active field for the past decade, mostly focusing on matching a specific mobility or encounter metric with little focus on matching irregular obstacle constraints in realistic scenarios. Consequently, the existing mobility models (MMs) are almost unrealistic. On the other hand, the lack of systemic evaluation framework for MMs makes the mobility characteristics of MANETs be not properly evaluated. In this paper, a realistic mobility model based on Bezier curves (RMBC) is presented. The model operates in an irregular obstacle environment which restricts node movement and wireless transmission. In the RMBC model, a mobile node can calculate smooth pathways between the obstacles using the Bezier curve characterized by control points. Moreover, the flexible movement manners and the realistic application characteristics determined by RMBC are derived and analyzed, respectively. In order to effectively compare the proposed MM with several classical MMs, an integrated and systemic evaluation framework with a multi-dimensional mobility metric space is achieved. The simulation using NS2 tool is conducted. The results show that the proposed MM performs significantly better than the existing MMs in terms of mobility characteristics of MANETs in realistic scenarios.