How to Start Vertical Handover Projects Using NS3

To start the vertical handover projects using NS3, we will concentrate on replicating the situations in which devices change among diverse kinds of networks like WiFi, cellular (LTE), and other wireless technologies. This approach is also called as vertical handover and in heterogeneous network environments, which is fundamental in which users travel among networks including diverse characteristics.

Steps to Start Vertical Handover Projects in NS3

  1. Set Up NS3 Environment

Make certain that NS3 is appropriately installed on the machine. It is optimal to contain the LTE and WiFi modules for vertical handover, since these denote two generally utilized technologies within vertical handover analyses.

  1. Install NS3 and essential modules. Set up NS3 including instances and experiments are allowed:

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

./waf build

  1. Verify LTE and WiFi Modules: Make sure the LTE and WiFi modules are installed, since for making the vertical handover scenarios they are necessary.
  1. Understand the Vertical Handover Components

Vertical handover includes numerous crucial modules:

  • Multiple Network Types: Set up diverse kinds of network connections like WiFi and LTE.
  • Mobility Models: Describe the node mobility replicating movement among the coverage areas.
  • Handover Decision: Determine when and how handovers will be happened depends on the factors such as signal strength, speed, and network load.
  1. Create a Basic Network Topology with WiFi and LTE

Replicate a vertical handover to make a network including both WiFi and LTE coverage. Here’s a basic configuration:

  1. Initialize Nodes:
    • For LTE, we can configure user equipment (UE) nodes and an eNodeB.
    • Set an access point (AP) and respective nodes for WiFi.
  2. Assign Mobility Model:
    • Designate mobility models to the nodes replicating movement that will activate the handover ultimately.

Here’s an instance script configuring nodes and setting LTE and WiFi:

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/lte-module.h”

#include “ns3/wifi-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

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

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

// Create nodes

NodeContainer ueNodes;

ueNodes.Create(1); // One mobile user equipment (UE)

NodeContainer enbNodes;

enbNodes.Create(1); // One LTE eNodeB

NodeContainer wifiApNode;

wifiApNode.Create(1); // One WiFi Access Point

NodeContainer wifiStaNodes;

wifiStaNodes.Add(ueNodes); // Add UE to WiFi stations

// Set up LTE network

Ptr<LteHelper> lteHelper = CreateObject<LteHelper>();

Ptr<EpcHelper> epcHelper = CreateObject<PointToPointEpcHelper>();

lteHelper->SetEpcHelper(epcHelper);

NetDeviceContainer enbDevs = lteHelper->InstallEnbDevice(enbNodes);

NetDeviceContainer ueLteDevs = lteHelper->InstallUeDevice(ueNodes);

// Set up WiFi network

WifiHelper wifiHelper;

wifiHelper.SetStandard(WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211n_5GHZ);

YansWifiPhyHelper wifiPhy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default();

YansWifiChannelHelper wifiChannel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default();

wifiPhy.SetChannel(wifiChannel.Create());

WifiMacHelper wifiMac;

Ssid ssid = Ssid(“ns3-wifi”);

wifiMac.SetType(“ns3::StaWifiMac”, “Ssid”, SsidValue(ssid));

NetDeviceContainer staDevs = wifiHelper.Install(wifiPhy, wifiMac, wifiStaNodes);

wifiMac.SetType(“ns3::ApWifiMac”, “Ssid”, SsidValue(ssid));

NetDeviceContainer apDevs = wifiHelper.Install(wifiPhy, wifiMac, wifiApNode);

// Internet stack

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(ueNodes);

internet.Install(enbNodes);

internet.Install(wifiApNode);

// Mobility model

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(5.0),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(10.0),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(3),

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

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

mobility.Install(enbNodes);

mobility.Install(wifiApNode);

mobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::RandomWalk2dMobilityModel”,

“Bounds”, RectangleValue(Rectangle(-50, 50, -25, 50)));

mobility.Install(ueNodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

address.SetBase(“7.0.0.0”, “255.0.0.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer wifiInterfaces = address.Assign(staDevs);

address.SetBase(“1.0.0.0”, “255.0.0.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer lteInterfaces = address.Assign(ueLteDevs);

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(20.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

  1. Configure the Handover Mechanism

LTE module of NS3 contains basic support for handover, however for vertical handovers among the LTE and WiFi, additional logic is need. The LTE helper contains techniques to activate the handovers that normally depends on the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) or Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP).

For vertical handover, we can configure the conditions launching handover rely on:

  • Signal strength: Confirm the RSSI or RSRP discovering when the UE would change among LTE and WiFi.
  • Throughput: Change to the network to provide better throughput if one is congested.
  • Mobility pattern: From the eNodeB or WiFi AP, we can cause handover depends on the distance.
  1. Implement a Handover Decision Algorithm

We need to execute a custom decision algorithm in the lack of built-in vertical handover support among LTE and WiFi. This algorithm should observe:

  • RSSI from WiFi and LTE: Estimate the signal strength utilizing Phy layer helpers.
  • Data rates: Equate available data rates.
  • Latency and jitter: Monitor and utilize these metrics like decision factors.

Following is a simple example to simulate handover logic by manually activating:

lteHelper->AddHandover(Seconds(10.0), ueNodes.Get(0), enbNodes.Get(0), lteInterfaces.GetAddress(0));

  1. Use FlowMonitor to Measure Performance

Estimate the vertical handover’s efficiency, to calculate the network’s performance utilizing using FlowMonitor to monitor the throughput, delay, and packet loss:

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

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

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

  1. Analyze the Results
  • Trace File Analysis: Examine the output trace file (handover-flowmon.xml) to estimate the handover performance like latency and packet loss.
  • NetAnim: Envision node movement and then monitor once handovers happen to utilize NS-3’s NetAnim.
  • Performance Metrics: Equate performance parameters such as throughput, delay, and jitter before and after handover events knowing the handover decision algorithm’s influence.

This procedure has covered the overall demonstration that contains stepwise method and sample snippets which is essential to know before starting the Vertical Handover Projects using NS3 tool. We will offer the additional records, if required.

We manage a variety of networks, including WiFi, cellular (LTE), and other wireless tech. At phdprojects.org, we’re your go-to partner for achieving research success. If you’re looking to kick off Vertical Handover Projects using the NS3 tool, our experts are here to help. We offer guidance and can even assist with project performance presentations. So, don’t hesitate—send us your research details for more support!