[ns] MAC Protocol design

Looking through the posts I see that you have contributed a little to the list regarding MAC protocol simulation. I am doing a project regarding MAC protocol design and wonder whether you can point me in the right direction as to how to simulate existing MAC protocols and then how to go about simulating a new MAC protocol. How could I break down the trace files etc to show me exactly what the MAC protocol is doing and what would you reccommend simulating. I am at a little but of a los at the moment and would appreciate any help