Mobility modelling: a fluid dynamics approach

In wireless personal communication systems, location and call management processes are fundamentally determined by the movement of the user. Modelling the mobility of a user is critical when evaluating current or future personal communication service protocols and management techniques. Synthetic and trace modelling are two methods of modelling the mobility of a single user or a group of users. Synthetic models are complex, computationally heavy, and lack realism. Trace models are based on empirical data and are difficult to modify to reflect future mobility. This paper presents PotFlow, a new synthetic method based on potential fluid dynamics that allows modelled users to have smooth continuous velocity trajectories in a simple, flexible, low computational manner.