Simulating a rural wireless network using SCILAB

The paper introduces a software environment to simulate rural wireless networks by using Scilab as open source. The environment is based on a theoretical one-pipe-four-layer wireless-simulation model. Three main features of the environment are briefly explained here, including the construction of a wireless network topology, the simulation of network traffic and the evaluation of network quality. The social values of the applied wireless simulation environment are two-folded. One is that the off-the-shelf freeware, Scilab, eliminates the initial cost of software acquirement and network dimensioning. It can therefore be shared as open source for other fellow colleagues majoring in the same field. The other is that due to its powerful characters of easy understanding and operating, the free environment is of great use to common wireless network planners, especially to local wireless designers and learners with limited special skills.