A Simple Model for Computation of Packet Radio Network Communication Performance

A model is presented that allows the computation of the approximate level of communication performance for an arbitrary packet radio network using one of a variety of protocols. The communication performance is specified in terms of the end-to-end message delays incurred for a given level of end-to-end traffic rates. The network is specified in terms of its link capacities. While the model makes a variety of assumptions to allow simple computation of the performance level, agreement within a factor of two is obtained with results from simulation. As the number of nodes in the network and its connectivity is increased, the model is expected to give better accuracy. Thus, the model should prove to be a useful tool in the design and analysis of large packet radio networks where detailed analysis and simulation would prove too cumbersome.