How to Start Cognitive Adhoc Network Projects Using NS3

To start Cognitive Ad-Hoc Networks (CANETs) using NS3 that integrate the ad-hoc networking along with cognitive radio capabilities, to permit the nodes to adjust actively to its environment by means of detecting and using the spectrum opportunities. These types of networks are helpful within environments including restricted spectrum resources or high interference like emergency communications or military applications. We mentioned below is a stepwise approach on how to start a Cognitive Ad-Hoc Network project using NS3:

Steps to Start Cognitive Ad-Hoc Networks Projects in NS3

Step 1: Set Up NS3 and Required Extensions

  1. Download and Install NS3:
    • From the official site, we download NS3 and according to the operating system install all necessary dependencies.
  2. Add Cognitive Radio Modules or Extensions:
    • NS3 contains a simple Spectrum module that offers spectrum-aware functionality. This module is vital for replicating the cognitive radio capabilities.
    • If available, seek more open-source cognitive radio modules for NS3. A few research groups include enhanced cognitive radio or active spectrum access extensions, which we can incorporate.

Step 2: Understand Cognitive Radio and Ad-Hoc Network Basics

  1. Cognitive Radio Concepts:
    • Spectrum Sensing: The capability to identify an unused spectrum channels within real-time.
    • Spectrum Decision: To choose which spectrum band utilizing relies on sensing.
    • Spectrum Mobility: We change among the spectrum channels once interference is identified.
    • Spectrum Sharing: To enable numerous users to access the spectrum without interference.
  2. Ad-Hoc Networking Fundamentals:
    • In ad-hoc networks, nodes directly interact with each other without centralized control to utilize dynamic routing protocols.
    • Nodes should be able to actively select the frequencies in CANETs whereas sustaining the routing connectivity along with other nodes.

Step 3: Define Project Objectives

  1. Set Key Goals for the Project:
    • For ad-hoc networks projects, general  objectives contain:
      • Efficient Spectrum Utilization: To increase the spectrum usage by means of adjusting to available frequencies.
      • Interference Avoidance: Minimizing interference by actively changing the channels.
      • Robust Connectivity: To sustain connectivity still with spectrum mobility.
      • Network Performance Metrics: We estimate the throughput, latency, packet delivery ratio, and spectrum utilization.
  2. Choose Evaluation Metrics:
    • Describe estimation parameters such as spectrum efficiency, packet delivery ratio, latency, network throughput, and channel-switching frequency.

Step 4: Set Up Network Topology and Nodes

  1. Create Cognitive Radio Nodes:
    • Configure nodes, which can function with several spectrum bands utilizing NS3’s SpectrumWifiPhy or SpectrumChannel.
    • Set up each node including cognitive radio capabilities, according to the availability to permit it detecting the spectrum and changing channels.
  2. Define Mobility Models:
    • Configure a mobility model replicating the node movement since cognitive ad-hoc networks frequently function within dynamic environments.
    • If nodes are highly moveable, or make a custom mobility model as required utilizing the RandomWaypointMobilityModel or same models.

Step 5: Implement Spectrum Sensing and Decision Mechanisms

  1. Set Up Spectrum Sensing:
    • Execute the spectrum sensing to utilize NS3’s Spectrum module. It can be as easy as verifying channel availability or as difficult as estimating the interference at diverse frequencies.
    • In real-time, set up each node identifying the spectrum and to detect idle channels.
  2. Spectrum Decision and Access:
    • For spectrum decision-making, make algorithms to permit nodes depends on the sensing results, choosing the optimal available channel.
    • For channel selection, or execute a custom decision mechanism as needed, we can utilize algorithms such as Least Interference or Highest Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).

Step 6: Implement Spectrum Mobility and Sharing

  1. Spectrum Mobility:
    • Execute the channel-switching capabilities to nodes can change to a diverse channel once interference is identified at the present one.
    • For switching channels, set up spectrum mobility parameters like delay and test with diverse mobility policies like proactive vs. reactive switching.
  2. Spectrum Sharing:
    • We need to execute the protocols or algorithms for spectrum sharing. For instance, allow the nodes to distribute together the channels preventing collisions according to the sensing outcomes.
    • Experiment cooperative vs. competitive sharing approaches, and we monitor how diverse sharing methods impact overall network performance.

Step 7: Configure Ad-Hoc Routing Protocols

  1. Select Suitable Ad-Hoc Routing Protocols:
    • Select a routing protocol such as AODV (Ad-hoc On-Demand Distance Vector), DSR (Dynamic Source Routing), or OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing) managing the multi-hop interaction.
    • These protocols require being compatible with active channel switching thus deliberate to change them as essential supporting often channel modifications.
  2. Integrate Routing with Spectrum Mobility:
    • Make sure that routing protocol can be adjusted to spectrum modifications. For example, once nodes change channels then the routing protocol must modernize routes rapidly to prevent the packet loss.

Step 8: Run Simulation Scenarios and Collect Data

  1. Define Test Scenarios:
    • Make diverse situations to estimate the cognitive ad-hoc network like:
      • High Interference: Launch competing users on specific channels and we monitor how nodes manages the spectrum mobility.
      • Dynamic Spectrum Availability: To replicate altering the spectrum conditions in which channels are intermittently obtainable.
      • High Mobility: Experiment situations along with mobile nodes to measure how mobility and spectrum changes influence the routing and connectivity.
  2. Implement Application Traffic:
    • Based on the situation, set applications on each node mimicking traffic patterns like file transfers, streaming, or real-time data transmission.
    • Make sure that applications adjust to spectrum mobility, to prevent the interruptions by reason of channel switching.
  3. Collect Performance Metrics:
    • Collect information on spectrum usage, packet delivery ratio, latency, and throughput utilizing NS-’s tracing and logging aspects.
    • Estimate the frequency of channel switching and measure the stability of routes across diverse situations.

Step 9: Analyze Results and Optimize

  1. Evaluate Network Performance:
    • We equate the network performance parameters over diverse situation estimating the efficiency of spectrum sensing, decision, and mobility mechanisms.
    • Detect any weaknesses like high latency during channel switching, and areas in which spectrum utilization can be enhanced.
  2. Optimize Spectrum Access Algorithms:
    • Test with diverse sensing intervals, channel-switching thresholds, and decision algorithms enhancing for latency, reliability, and throughput.
  3. Advanced Features (Optional):
    • For predictive spectrum access or collaborative sensing, deliberate to execute the advanced cognitive radio methods like machine learning in which nodes distribute sensing data for more exact channel selection.

We had explicated the information about the process for Cognitive Adhoc Network projects that can be started and analysed in NS3 tool. We plan to elaborate on this project in other scenarios.

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