Split-Protocol-Stack Wireless Network Emulation: Enabling PHY Modeling Diversity with Software-Radio-in-the-Loop

Accurate evaluation of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is increasingly challenging due to precise physical requirements and application-specific algorithmic demands at the same time. In our previous research, we have already demonstrated various conceptual details of how a combination of different network evaluation techniques can increase accuracy and validity of evaluation results. In this paper, we present a novel emulation technique in which the node's protocol stack is split horizontally while using a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) environment with real hardware at the Physical Layer (PHY) and radio channel, and Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) at the link layer and higher layers. Throughout the emulation setup, we are able to change specific parameters or even switch different radio functions from the simulation, thus allowing for physically accurate and highly configurable PHY integration.