Discrete Event Modeling and Simulation of Wireless Sensor Network Performance

Abstract

The wireless distributed microsensor networks have profited from recent technological advances and it seems essential to precisely understand these systems. Modeling and simulation appear to be an essential aspect of predicting the Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) specific behavior under different conditions. We want to provide a new method of modeling, simulation and visualization of WSN using a discrete-event approach. Described by Zeigler in the 1970's, the Discrete Event System Specification is ideal for describing the asynchronous nature of the events occuring in WSN. We have provided a basic model for the analysis of WSN performance, including routing management, energy consumption and relative CPU activity. Our approach uses a detailed definition of node-oriented components and aims to introduce methods of visualizing the network at a different level of abstraction.