Academic Research and Teaching With OPNET Software

University: Montana State University
Name of sponsoring Professor: Dr. Richard S. Wolff
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Research

1. Quality Aware Source Routing in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

In this paper, we explore the feasibility of using Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) for rural public safety. First, we discuss a QoS enhancement to a standard routing protocol, Dynamic Source Routing (DSR). By incorporating a new routing metric and the available bandwidth and delay estimation algorithms with DSR, we design a new routing protocol, QoSAware Source Routing (QASR), to meet the QoS requirements specified by Statement of Requirements (SoR) for public safety communications. We then evaluate the performance of QASR and the well-known standard routing protocols including Adhoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) and DSR based on real public safety scenarios using OPNET modeler at the 4:9GHz public safety spectrum band. Simulation results show that QASR significantly outperforms DSR and AODV in terms of various performance metrics.

2. Routing Protocols for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks in Rural Areas

 Research on vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) has focused mainly on efficient routing protocol design under conditions where there are relatively large numbers of closely spaced vehicles. These routing protocols are designed principally for urban areas with high node density, fully connected networks, and are not suitable for packet delivery in a sparse, partially connected VANET. In this paper, we examine the challenges of VANETs in sparse network conditions, review alternatives including epidemic routing and propose a Border node Based Routing (BBR) protocol for partially connected VANETs. The BBR protocol can tolerate network partition due to low node density and high node mobility. The performance of epidemic routing and BBR are evaluated with a Geographic and Traffic Information (GTI) based mobility model that captures typical highway conditions. The simulation results show that under rural network conditions, a limited flooding protocol such as BBR performs well and offers the advantage of not relying on a location service required by other protocols proposed for VANETs.

Teaching

EE 541 Advanced Communication Theory

This course explores the principles needed for the design and analysis of communication systems. The goal is to provide the student a solid introduction to analog communications and a review of important mathematical foundation topics. Because of the increasing prevalence of digital communication technologies, emphasis will be given to communication techniques appropriate for the transmission and reception of digital signals. OPNET, Matlab and Simulink will be used in class problems. Examinations will be open book, open notes. The topical paper will analyze the modulation of an implemented communication system with reference to the course material. The paper will be presented in class. Students may elect to perform a physical lab test and analysis of a communications receiver in place of the paper. A formal analysis and report will be required.

EE 447 Mobile Wireless Communications

This course will provide the student an introduction to the engineering principles necessary to design and analyze modern wireless communication systems. Properties of the wireless communications channel and propagation models will be examined for different radio environments.  The elements of a wireless communication system and link budget analysis are introduced.  Modern modulation techniques for wireless such as QAM, OFDM, and Spread Spectrum are presented.  Cellular concepts of channel reuse, clusters, capacity, mobility management and overall system architecture are presented with examples of current and next generation cellular systems.  Multiple access techniques such as FDMA, TDMA, and CDMA for wireless systems are presented.  The semester will conclude with a look at wireless LANs and future wireless systems.

Students may use OPNET and Matlab to build models and explore problems.

Authored papers

• Shen Wan, Jian Tang and Richard S. Wolff, “Reliable Routing for Roadside to Vehicle Communications in Rural Areas”, IEEE ICC08, Beijing, May 2008.
• Mingliu Zhang and Richard S.Wolff, “Border Node Based Routing Protocol for VANETs in Sparse and Rural Areas”, IEEE Globecom 07 Autonet Workshop, Washing ton DC, November 2007.
• Mingliu Zhang and Richard S. Wolff, “Geographic and Traffic Information Based Mobility Model for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks in Sparse and Rural Areas”, IEEE Globecom AutoNet workshop November 30, San Francisco, CA, 2006.
• Shen Wan and R. S. Wolff, “Terrain-Aware Ad hoc Scheduling for Sparse Mobile Networks”, OPNETWORK 2006, Washington DC, August 2006.
• R. S. Wolff and Gaurav Dawra, “A Terrain-based Routing Protocol for Sparse Ad-hoc Intermittent Networking (TRAIN)”, IASTED International Conference on Wireless and Optical Communication Systems and Networks, WOC 2006, Banff, Canada, July 2006.

OPNET Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of solutions for managing networks and applications. OPNET's best-in-class solutions address application troubleshooting,application monitoring, network monitoring, network configuration management,network planning, and network simulation. OPNET’s solutions have been operationally proven in thousands of customer environments worldwide, including corporate and government enterprises, government and defense agencies, network service providers, and network equipment manufacturers. For more information