Abstract
This manuscript was submitted to IEEE Access on 12 Jun 2020.
Abstract:
Simulation forms an important part of the development and empirical
evaluation of underwater acoustic network (UAN) protocols. The key
feature of a credible network simulation model is a realistic channel
model. A common approach to simulating realistic underwater acoustic
(UWA) channels is by using specialised beam tracing software such as
BELLHOP. However, BELLHOP and similar modeling software typically
require knowledge of ocean acoustics and a substantial programming
effort from UAN protocol designers to integrate it into their research.
In this paper, we bridge the gap between low level channel modeling via
beam tracing and automated channel modeling, e.g. via the World Ocean
Simulation System (WOSS), by providing a distilled UWA channel modeling
tutorial from the network protocol design point of view. The tutorial is
accompanied by our MATLAB simulation code that interfaces with BELLHOP
to produce channel data for UAN simulations. As part of the tutorial, we
describe two methods of incorporating such channel data into network
simulations, including a case study for each of them: 1) directly
importing the data as a look-up table, 2) using the data to create a
statistical channel model. The primary aim of this paper is to provide a
useful learning resource and modeling tool for UAN protocol researchers.
Initial insights into the UAN protocol design and performance provided
by the statistical channel modeling approach presented in this paper
demonstrate its potential as a powerful modeling tool for future UAN
research.