An Open Simulator Architecture for Heterogeneous Self-Organizing Networks

With the maturing of research in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and the more recent advances in Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks (WSAN), there has been an increasing interest in heterogeneous self-organizing networks with multiple types of nodes that possess different capabilities and perform diverse tasks in the network's deployment, maintenance, and application functionalities. This paper explores the conceptual and architectural challenges in the design of generic tools for modeling and simulation of such systems. It first addresses the modeling issues, including the diversity of node types and capabilities, the variety of possible abstractions, and the need for vertical cross-layer integration. After a brief review of the solutions in some existing simulation systems, the paper outlines an open architectural platform incorporating the facilities for: definition of potential capabilities of network elements; formation of node types with selected capabilities and behavioral algorithms; formation of relevant environment models; configuration and initialization of the network and its environment; and scenario definition, execution and monitoring.