An ns-based Bluetooth topology construction simulation environment

Bluetooth is an emerging technology in wireless applications, and many related issues are yet to be explored both in academia and industry. Because of the complexity and the dynamics of computer networks, a good simulation tool plays an important role in the development stage. Of the existing simulation tools, ns is a popular open-source package that has a substantial support for simulation of TCP routing, and multicast protocols over wired and wireless networks. It also has BlueHoc as its extension for Bluetooth. Although BlueHoc offers many simulation functions for Bluetooth, all simulations must be done in a virtually fixed topology. Hence simulation about dynamic topology construction-the first and an important step in establishing a Bluetooth network-cannot be conducted. Besides, BlueHoc offers only a limited support for building a network. It also lacks flexibility in device control, in animated presentation, and in modeling mobility. The main contribution of the paper is therefore to enhance BlueHoc to support the aforementioned functions.