Lessons Learned Building TeamTrak: An Urban/Outdoor Mobile Testbed

Much research in mobile networks relies on the use of simulations for evaluation purposes. While a number of powerful simulation tools have been developed for this purpose, only recently has the need for physical implementations of mobile systems and applications been widely accepted in the literature. In recognition of this need, and to further our research objectives in the area of wireless sensor networks and mobile cooperative systems, we have built the TeamTrak mobile testbed, which gives us real-world experience with research concepts as we develop them. Additionally, results from outdoor field tests are used to further enhance the capabilities of the testbed itself.