How to Start Industrial IoT Projects Using NS3

To start an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) project using NS3, we need to configure a network of sensors, controllers, and gateways replicating numerous industrial IoT applications. IIoT networks are generally utilized within smart manufacturing, predictive maintenance, and process automation in which reliability, latency, and network resilience are significant. NS3 can be replicated IIoT networks based on the needs of the industrial environment to utilize WiFi, Ethernet, or LTE.

Below is a step-by-step instruction to making a simple IIoT network simulation in NS3.

Steps to Start Industrial IoT Projects in NS3

  1. Install NS3
  1. Download and Install NS3:

git clone https://gitlab.com/nsnam/ns-3-dev.git ns-3

cd ns-3

./waf configure –enable-examples –enable-tests

./waf build

  1. Verify Installation by executing a simple example:

./waf –run=point-to-point

  1. Define IIoT Network Components

In a normal IIoT network, components like:

  • Sensor Nodes: Accumulate data such as temperature, pressure, or humidity within an industrial environment.
  • Controller Nodes: For local processing and decision-making, handles the sensors and actuators.
  • Gateways: Transmit information among sensors, controllers, and the central network (frequently through the internet).
  • Communication Links: According to the needed data rate, latency, and reliability WiFi, Ethernet, or LTE can be utilized.
  1. Set Up Network Topology Based on Communication Type

Choose a interaction technique depends on the IIoT environment’s requirements:

  • WiFi: Appropriate for flexible, low-power wireless IIoT environments.
  • Ethernet: Chosen for high-reliability and low-latency industrial applications.
  • LTE: It is helpful for remote or wide-area deployments in which cellular connectivity is needed.

Example: Basic IIoT Network Using WiFi

Here’s a simple instance that illustrates IIoT network to utilize WiFi for wireless communication.

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/wifi-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

// Create sensor nodes

NodeContainer sensorNodes;

sensorNodes.Create(5);

// Create a controller node (could represent an IIoT gateway or central node)

NodeContainer controllerNode;

controllerNode.Create(1);

// Set up WiFi communication for IIoT network

YansWifiChannelHelper channel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default();

YansWifiPhyHelper phy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default();

phy.SetChannel(channel.Create());

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard(WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211n_2_4GHZ);

WifiMacHelper mac;

mac.SetType(“ns3::StaWifiMac”, “Ssid”, SsidValue(Ssid(“IIoT-network”)));

// Install WiFi devices on sensor nodes

NetDeviceContainer sensorDevices;

sensorDevices = wifi.Install(phy, mac, sensorNodes);

// Set up the controller as an access point

mac.SetType(“ns3::ApWifiMac”, “Ssid”, SsidValue(Ssid(“IIoT-network”)));

NetDeviceContainer controllerDevice = wifi.Install(phy, mac, controllerNode);

// Install Internet stack on all nodes

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(sensorNodes);

stack.Install(controllerNode);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

address.Assign(sensorDevices);

address.Assign(controllerDevice);

// Set up mobility for nodes

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(5.0),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(5.0),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(3),

“LayoutType”, StringValue(“RowFirst”));

mobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::ConstantPositionMobilityModel”);

mobility.Install(sensorNodes);

mobility.Install(controllerNode);

// Set up applications to simulate sensor data transmission

uint16_t port = 9;

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(port);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(controllerNode.Get(0)); // Controller as the server

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(Ipv4Address(“10.1.1.1”), port);

echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(20));

echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(0.5)));

echoClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(512));

ApplicationContainer clientApps;

for (uint32_t i = 0; i < sensorNodes.GetN(); ++i) {

clientApps.Add(echoClient.Install(sensorNodes.Get(i)));

}

clientApps.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

  1. Configure Communication Parameters

Set up communication parameters to relate the industrial communication’s needs:

  • Data Rate: Modify according to the anticipated sensor data rate such as “1Mbps” to “10Mbps”.
  • Delay: For low-latency applications, minimize delay.
  • Packet Size: Configure proper packet size depends on the sensor data volume.

Example:

phy.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));

phy.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“5Mbps”));

  1. Implement Applications for Data Transmission

Replicate periodic sensor data utilizing applications such as OnOffApplication, UdpEchoApplication, or BulkSendApplication. Each sensor can be transmitted data to the controller node on normal intervals.

Example with OnOffApplication:

OnOffHelper onOff(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address(“10.1.1.1”), port));

onOff.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“1Mbps”));

onOff.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(512));

ApplicationContainer onOffApp = onOff.Install(sensorNodes.Get(0));

onOffApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

onOffApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

  1. Collect and Analyze Performance Metrics

We can examine crucial metrics for IIoT network performance contains:

  • Throughput: Estimate the data rate over network links.
  • Latency: Low latency is necessary for real-time industrial applications.
  • Packet Loss: Measure reliability and then make sure high packet delivery ratios.
  • Energy Consumption: Significant for battery-powered IIoT sensors.

Use FlowMonitor to gather performance data:

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

Ptr<FlowMonitor> monitor = flowmon.InstallAll();

monitor->SerializeToXmlFile(“iiot-flowmon.xml”, true, true);

  1. Visualize and Analyze Results
  • NetAnim: Envision the node’s locations then monitor the data flow.
  • Trace Analysis: Examine packet transmission, latency, and loss utilizing NS3 trace files.
  • Graphing Tools: Transfer accumulated parameters to graph the performance features over time.
  1. Experiment with Advanced IIoT Scenarios

After configuring a simple IIoT network, we attempt more complex situations:

  • Multi-Hop Networks: If devices distribute over a large area then utilize multi-hop routing such as AODV or OLSR.
  • Hybrid Networks: Aggregate WiFi, LTE, and Ethernet links replicating different industrial environments.
  • Interference and Noise: Append noise or interference to learn the network resilience within industrial environments.
  • Real-Time Communication: Execute the Quality of Service (QoS) settings to give precedence latency-sensitive traffic.

In this manual, we have delivered the typical procedure that is vital to know when and how to starting and analysing the Industrial IoT projects using NS3 environment. We also provide samples for your references. If needed, we will guide you through another procedure. If you’re looking to kick off your Industrial IoT projects with the NS3 tool, our experts are here to help! We offer top-notch guidance and can even present your project’s performance. So, why hold back? Share your research details with us for extra support. We’ve got your IIoT networks covered!