The evaluation of wireless networking through action

The adaptable channel testbed for investigation of wireless networks (ACTION) has been developed as a hardware-in-the-loop testbed that can model a variety of wireless network scenarios. Through the use of discrete devices, networking hardware (both client and infrastructure) can be connected directly without the need to radiate over-the-air. Signal characteristics such as amplitude, phase, and frequency can be changed to simulate wireless channels and introduce modeling features such as mobility (Doppler shift), fading (random phase changes) and amplitude (range). These discrete devices constitute the simulated wireless network environment (SWiNE), providing virtual channel paths as seen by the wireless hardware connected to ACTION. ACTION has been used to model fast-moving platforms (up to Mach 2) by introducing Doppler shift into the channels and analyzing TCP/UDP performance as seen by the application. Packet error statistics along with application throughput numbers are the appropriate metrics. ACTION also enables test setups that include injection of interfering radios and signals to model jamming and interference scenarios. This paper covers the details of the ACTION implementation, some test scenarios that have been set up with ACTION, results from those tests, implications of the results on military communications, and future possibilities for the ACTION platform as a key part of network modeling and simulation from a hardware-in-the-loop perspective