Mobile Ad Hoc Network emulation environment

To support research in wireless mobile ad hoc networks, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have worked jointly to establish an advanced emulation environment. A key component is a mobile ad-hoc network emulation testbed where algorithms and applications can be subjected to representative wireless network conditions. The testbed is based on a version of the ¿MANE¿ (mobile ad hoc network emulator) software originally developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Consulting & Engineering Next Generation Networks (CENGEN) has enhanced MANE by implementing a modular, extensible architecture which allows advanced modeling methods and computing technologies to be incorporated into the environment. This paper discusses the current capabilities of mobile network emulation for conducting empirical evaluation and demonstration of MANET technologies and is organized into 5 sections: (1) introduction to the role of emulation in network modeling, (2) mobile network emulators background (3) emulation system components (4) future plans and (5) conclusions.