Analysis of time correlated channel model for simulation of packet data networks

Abstract

Performance of any communication system is ultimately determined by the characteristics of the medium, i.e., the channel utilized. A communication channel may be wired, where there is a constrained physical connection between the transmitter and receiver, or wireless where the physical constraint is missing. Wired channels differ significantly from wireless channels which can change their state in very short time span and are thus unreliable in behaviour. Wireless network protocol simulators that operate at a packet level are computationally intensive and the addition of accurate channel fading models must add as little complexity as possible. The need for channel modelling is emphasized in this paper whereas as limitations of uncorrelated channel models have been highlighted. Paper describes benefits of time correlated channel modelling and provides validation of such a model for simulation of burst errors. Results presented also prove that both Doppler frequency and velocity are inversely proportional to channel invariance for small scale fading models.