SIMUTools2010

MANET Simulation Studies: The Incredibles

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Tracy Camp - Professor, Department of Math and Computer Sciences, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado, U.S.A.

Abstract: Simulation is the research tool of choice for a majority of the mobile ad hoc network (MANET) community; however, while the use of simulation has increased, the credibility of the simulation results has decreased. To determine the state of MANET simulation studies, we surveyed the proceedings of a top conference in the MANET area: the ACM International Symposium on Mobile Ad Hoc Networking and Computing (MobiHoc). From our survey, we found significant shortfalls.

Choosing an appropriate simulation scenario to study the performance of a MANET routing protocol is an important process. For example, routing will not be properly evaluated when a simulation scenario with a low average hop count or a large degree of network partitioning is used. To ensure that a simulation scenario provides an effective platform for testing a MANET routing protocol, we recommend that researchers use two metrics to characterize their simulation scenarios: the average shortest-path hop count and the average amount of network partitioning.

In this talk, I will (1) present the results of our MobiHoc survey, (2) summarize common simulation study pitfalls found in our survey, and (3) discuss tools that we have created to aid the development of more rigorous simulation studies. While this work focuses on the MANET field, the takeaway message in regards to credible simulation is applicable to other computing fields.

Algebras and Languages for Molecular Programming

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Luca Cardelli - Microsoft Research, Cambridge UK

Abstract: Nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) encode information digitally, and are currently the only truly 'user-programmable' entities at the molecular scale. They can be used to manufacture nano-scale structures, produce physical forces, act as sensors and actuators, and do computation in between. Eventually we will be able to interface then with biological machinery to detect and cure diseases at the cellular level under program control. The technology to create and manipulate them has existed for many years, but the imagination necessary to exploit them has been evolving slowly. Recently, some very simple computational schemes have been developed that are autonomous (run on their own once started) and involve only short (easily synthesizable) DNA strands with no other complex molecules.

We need programming abstractions and tools that are suitable for molecular programming. Low-level molecular design is required to produce molecules that interact in the desired controllable ways. On that basis one can then design various kinds of 'logic gates' and 'computational architectures', which is where much of the imagination is currently needed. Then one needs programming languages both at the level of gate implementation (Andrew Phillips in Cambridge has built a strand-level DNA language and simulator), and at the level of circuit implementation (I will describe a Strand Algebra for implementing e.g. automata and Petri nets). Since DNA computation is massively concurrent, some tricky and yet familiar issues arise, like having to formally verify gate designs to avoid subtle deadlocks and race conditions, and having to design high-level languages that exploit concurrency and stochasticity.

The role of the simulation for a network operator: a survey

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Antonio Elizondo - Telefónica I+D, Spain

Abstract: Simulation plays an important role for designing, planning and operating a telecommunication network while assuring the quality of service since they allow one to:

• evaluate different design alternatives, ensuring the choice of the most appropriate option.
• identify and avoid potential system bottlenecks.
• evaluate the performance, capacity and scalability of networks and systems.
• elaborate dimensioning and planning rules in function of the foreseen traffic.

Telecommunications are in a constant and continuous process of transformation due to the proposal, introduction and evolution of new technologies. These technologies are more and more complex, and simulations are frequently the only means for evaluating and analyzing them before they are available to be tested.

In this talk, I will make a survey of the applications of the simulations made by a network operator such as Telefónica as a support of the network evolution. We will start with the application of simulations in legacy circuit switched networks, passing through ATM networks, and arriving to IP networks and future LTE technology. I will describe the simulations of these technologies covering topics such as traffic control (network management, admission controls, TCP protocol), routing strategies and mechanisms, P2P networks, radio access technologies, OSS and BSS systems, and service platforms.

Full presentation