An Analytical Modeling Approach for a Large Scale Mobile Ad Hoc Network

This paper presents a new analytical modeling approach for a large scale mobile ad hoc network (MANET). A simulation tool such as OPNET [1] is an essential tool to support the development and technical evaluation of a communications network. However, performing a detailed, high fidelity simulation for a large scale MANET, such as Army´s Future Force network that may includes thousands of communications network nodes, is usually not feasible by such a simulation tool. It is more practical to abstract some parts of the network, based on what questions a simulation is attempting to address. In support of such an abstract modeling, this paper presents an analytical modeling approach, which can support a large scale MANET. The proposed approach includes a new concept on modeling network formation, communications route determination, and network performance assessment, in application to MANET. It is shown that the proposed modeling approach enables to evaluate network performances of a large scale, heterogeneous MANET including an order of 5,000 communications network nodes.