Impact of realistic mobility models on wireless networks performance

In order to assess the mobile ad hoc network (MANET) performance accurately, it is necessary that the mobility model used emulates closely the real life scenario. Random Waypoint is generally used as the default mobility model in most network simulations, which exhibits movement patterns that are most non-humanlike. In this paper, we incorporate more realistic mobility models including entity mobility models (Manhattan Grid and Gauss Markov) and group mobility models (Reference Point Group Mobility and Column Mobility) in a multi-path (Rayleigh) fading environment. The effects of realistic mobility characteristics like temporal and spatial dependencies of velocity and geographic restrictions on performance metrics such as energy-goodput, packet delivery ratio, and control overhead packets generated are studied in detail. The energy utilized to transmit, receive, and drop data and control packets are calculated for the various mobility models. This analysis helps in discerning the effect of mobility and fading on the performance of a MANET and further facilitates in determining the impact of mobility models on performance in various network scenarios.