Wmediumd for 802.15.4: Bridging the Gap Between Simulation and Physical Testbeds

Realistic emulation of wireless communication is essential for the development and validation of protocols in lowpower
networks. While tools like Wmediumd provide accurate medium emulation for IEEE 802.11, no equivalent exists for IEEE
802.15.4, an important standard underlying protocols such as ZigBee, Thread, and 6LoWPAN. This paper presents an extension
of Wmediumd to support IEEE 802.15.4, enabling probabilistic modeling of wireless effects such as interference, attenuation, and
packet loss. By integrating with the existing mac802154 hwsim kernel module, our approach allows for accurate, reproducible
experimentation in virtual environments. We demonstrate the emulator’s effectiveness through scenarios involving range-based
communication and unstable links, highlighting its potential for advancing research and testing in IoT and low-power wireless
networks.