2. Project Aims

• Phase 1: Simulate existing schedule-driven MAC protocols to evaluate their performances under severe working conditions using an appropriate signal disintegration model and identify the shortfalls of the different protocols in these conditions. Design and implement, by simulation, a new TDMA-based MAC protocol that improves upon the weaker areas of existing schedule driven MAC protocols.
• Phase 2: Simulate existing reactive/hybrid cluster routing protocols, integrated with protocol devised in phase 1 to evaluate their performances under severe working conditions using an appropriate signal disintegration model and identify shortfalls of the different routing protocols in these conditions. Design and implement, by simulation, a new reactive/hybrid cluster routing protocol that improves upon the weaker areas of existing routing protocols.
• Phase 3: Design and implement, by simulation, an effective network management protocol as a tool for network monitoring and maintenance specific to manufacturing application, as an extension to the works in phase 1 and 2.
• Phase 4: Perform field test and analysis of resulting framework in an actual manufacturing plant.