A simulation model for evaluation of distributed processing in multi-hop packet radio networks

The authors describe a simulation model developed to aid in the evaluation of distributed processing scenario in a highly dynamic environment such as a multihop packet radio network. The simulation model has a set of identical packet radio nodes, employs spread spectrum random access protocols, and has an error model that includes the effects of interference from concurrent transmission as well as that induced by an on-off partial band jammer. An abstract description of hierarchical primary and subtask structures has been devised wherein a distributed task is described by a script that specifies processing time, sequences of subtasks, and lengths of request and response messages. The features of multihop packet radio networks are described that are relevant to the effort. The details of the network simulation, including the transport features are given. The distributed task scenario description is outlined. Some typical numerical results obtained from simulations are presented