# Realistic Simulation for Body Area and Body-To-Body Networks
## 5 Discussion and Conclusions  
Human assistance and wearable technologies, such as BANs, are emerging as an important part of daily life. These information and communication technologies (ICT) have not only helped to provide innovative healthcare solutions, but also are able to significantly reduce healthcare spending around the world. In this regard, body-to-body networks are a relatively new dimension and have been emerging rapidly in recent years.  
To model the emerging wearable applications, realistic performance evaluation is critical. This can be achieved and validated through extensive cross-layer simulation. Currently, the existing simulations platforms are limited in the realistic BAN and BBN features and models. In this paper, we present two approaches, semi-deterministic and fully deterministic, to accurately model the BAN and BBN channel models, radio link and mobility models. The semi-deterministic approach is able to generate link-correlated and time-varying realistic traces (_i.e._, with consistent mobility patterns) for on-body and body-to-body shadowing and fading, including body orientations and rotations, by means of stochastic channel models. The full deterministic approach is particularly targeted to enhance the IEEE 802.15.6 proposed channel models by introducing space and time variations (_i.e._, dynamic distances) through biomechanical modeling. In addition, it helps to accurately model the radio link by identifying the link types and corresponding path loss factors for LOS and NLOS conditions. This approach is particularly important for links that vary over time due to mobility.  
To conclude, there is a clear trend between the two proposed approaches. In the semi-deterministic approach, we propose stochastic models of body fading and shadowing based on measurement campaigns. This approach is more realistic than the deterministic approach and generates link-correlated and time-varying realistic traces mapped on the mobility patterns. Nevertheless, this approach is limited in terms of node positions and the application scenario. On the other hand, the deterministic approach is more suitable to daily life applications with a larger panel of mobility scenarios and a higher number of node positions on the body. It directly enhances the IEEE 802.15.6 standard (_i.e._, static model) through dynamic mobility patterns, especially for periodic time-varying links.  
In the future extension, we will extend the simulator to support networking protocols and more BAN- and BBN-specific mobility models. In addition, some specific application scenarios along with mobility patterns will be integrated.  
This publication was made possible by NPRP Grant #\([61508-2-616]\) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. We sincerely thank the reviewers for their valuable contributions. [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON] and [PERSON] conceived and designed the experiments; [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON] performed the experiments and analyzed the data; [PERSON] and [PERSON] contributed to analysis tools; [PERSON] and [PERSON] wrote the paper.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.