Simulation-based analysis of a multi-hop integrated UMTS and WLAN network

Abstract

The next generation communication networks will comprise of third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) cellular and multi-hop ad hoc networks. In particular, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and the IEEE 802.11 ad hoc networks will play a significant role. The UMTS can provide Internet service in wide areas with excellent mobility support while IEEE 802.11 can provide high speed last hop connectivity in indoor environment. The performance of the offered end-to-end TCP connection when these two different technologies come together to serve the users is an important aspect to be studied. In this paper, we build an analytical model to model the complete process of TCP packet transfer over this integrated network. The delay and end-to-end throughput are modeled. We also verify the simulation results considering the usual error rate in UMTS channels. Our analytical results match well with the simulation models that are widely used. Apart from modeling the Internet connectivity, our model can be used for multitude of tasks, such as gateway selection, resource reservation, etc.; in the next generation cellular multi-hop networks. © 2011 The Author(s).