Toward an efficient integral multi-agent sensor network generic simulation system design

Abstract

This research deals with several key issues concerning WSN design process. Due to the nature of these networks, debugging after deployment is unlikely, thus, a well-organized testing methodology is required. WSN simulators could achieve such a task, but still code implementing mote sensing and RF behavior consists of layered and/or interacting protocols that for the sake of designing accuracy are tested working as a whole, running on specific hardware. Simulators that provide cross-layer simulation and hardware cross-platform emulation options may be regarded as an important milestone for improved WSN design process. The herein proposed multi-agent simulation architecture aims at designing a novel WSN simulation system independent of specific hardware platforms but taking into account all hardware entities and events for testing and analyzing the behavior of a pragmatic WSN system. Details of the implementation are provided as well as a preliminary validation of the simulator in C#.