Framework for Layer 2 & Layer 3 Software Development and Performance Analysis of TDMA-Based Mobile Ad-hoc Networks

MANET is an infrastructure less network that is built automatically as soon as devices connect or disconnect. Instead of relying on a central node to coordinate the flow of messages, the individual nodes are capable to forward packets to each other. The MANET is characterized by rapid changes in the network topology due to node mobility and intermittent line-of-sight (LOS) connectivity. MANET is used in a variety of applications and all these applications have to run on embedded hardware platform. Developing & debugging software modules of TDMA based mobile Ad-hoc networks directly on embedded hardware platform is complex and time consuming because of lack of infrastructure and debugging features. Various simulators tools are available for developing, debugging and validating the TDMA based MANET protocol stack. However developing required software modules on these simulators are difficult and time consuming. Moreover the developed modules require further modifications to port on the target embedded hardware platform. In this paper, we propose a framework, in which Layer 2 & Layer 3 software functionalities of TDMA based mobile Ad-hoc networks can be developed, debugged and its performance can be analyzed using cross-connect Ethernet switch. The developed software modules are directly ported on the target embedded hardware platform without any further modifications there by product development life cycle time and cost of production is reduced.