- <li><b><code>setNoise(node, mean, variance)</code></b>: Set the noise
- floor at <i>node</i> to be a gaussian distribution with
- <i>mean</i> and <i>variance</i>.</li>
+ <p>The default values for TOSSIM's radio model are based on the CC2420 radio,
+ used in the micaZ, telos family, and imote2. It uses an SNR curve derived
+ from experimental data collected using two micaZ nodes, RF shielding, and
+ a variable attenuator.</p>
+
+ <p>In addition to the radio propagation above, TOSSIM
+ also simulates the RF noise and interference a node hears, both from other
+ nodes as well as outside sources. It uses the Closest Pattern Matching (CPM)
+ algorithm. CPM takes a noise trace as input and generates a statistical model
+ from it. This model can capture bursts of interference and other correlated
+ phenomena, such that it greatly improves the quality of the RF simulation.
+ It is not perfect (there are several things it does not handle, such as
+ correlated interference at nodes that are close to one another), but
+ it is much better than traditional, independent packet loss models. For
+ more details, please refer to the paper "Improving Wireless Simulation through
+ Noise Modeling," by Lee et al.</p>
+