Influence of mobile user velocity on data transfer in a multi-network wireless environment

Heterogeneous wireless environments are now a reality in many urban areas. Designing and deploying a wireless network in such an environment is complicated by the unpredictable propagation paths of radio signals and by the unpredictable behaviour of the network users themselves. Network simulation and modelling can be used to assist in the design process. However, in order for simulation models to be effective they must be realistic. Efforts have been made to render simulation models more realistic through the analysis of real world wireless networks and through the examination and evaluation of existing simulation models. The most fundamental characteristics of a mobile user are their mobility, and the speed at which they move. The various velocities used in simulation models are unrealistic with respect to pedestrian behaviour in urban environments. In addition, the possible influence of mobile user velocity on the amount of data transferred by the user is not considered. In this paper we examine the influence of a mobile userpsilas velocity on throughput in a wireless network using a range of realistic velocities.