RoutesMobilityModel: easy realistic mobility simulation using external information services

Workshop on ns-3 (WNS '15). 13, May, 2015. Castelldefels, Spain.

The current implementation of ns-3 provides only synthetic mobility models that disregard the map where the nodes are moving, however, the study of vehicular ad-hoc networks requires the usage of more realistic mobility models. The usage of mobility traces created by traffic simulators such as SUMO is feasible, however, these simulators possess a steep learning curve, which prevents their fruition for most researchers whose research focus and expertise are on the data communication layer. This paper presents a mobility model that generates realistic mobility traces that take into account the underlying maps, while maintaining the ease of usage that characterizes the synthetic mobility models. The module described herein is compared against SUMO and against the ns3::RandomWaypointMobilityModel of network simulator 3, to analyze the trade-off it implements in terms of realism and ease of usage.