Simulation framework for the evaluation of access selection algorithms over heterogeneous wireless networks

Abstract

This work presents the design of a flexible, scalable and easy-to-configure simulation platform, which is primarily conceived so as to evaluate access selection algorithms. As opposed to other similar tools, the simulator offers the possibility to deploy highly configurable scenarios, with various types of users, services, terminals and technologies. It also enables the analysis of large and complex scenarios (comprising many users and access elements), thanks to the abstraction techniques which have been considered during its design phase, without incurring in a high computational overhead. In addition, it can be used to evaluate algorithms using multi-operator strategies, thus leading to multi-access, multi-interface, multi-service and multi-operator scenarios. © 2012 ICST Institute for Computer Science, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.