Test Environment Design for Wireless Vehicle Comunications

The research in wireless communications and in-vehicle computing systems has opened up new fields of applications for transportation systems. Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) emerge as a contribution to the solution of providing safer and more efficient roads and to increase passenger safety. This thesis treats different issues that influence the performance of wireless vehicle communication systems and it proposes a general design procedure for the construction of a test environment for VANETs. A comprehensive survey of the different parameters that affect the system performance in the field of wireless vehicle communications is provided. These parameters are then analysed and quantified to serve as guidelines when identifying and designing the different components of the test environment. One such component is a simulator that enables VANET performance evaluation and allows identification of bottlenecks in the network functionality. In addition, suggestions for a hardware platform and an operating system for the development of a suitable on-board test-bed for performance measurements are presented. The design procedure of such a test environment is intended to be used by researchers and engineers working in the field of wireless communications and ad hoc networking with special regard to the automotive sector.