How to Start Cellular Topology Projects Using NS3

To start Cellular Topology in NS3 that replicate a network including cells in which each cell contains a base station (eNodeB), which associates to user equipment (UE). In mobile networks such as LTE or 5G, this topology is generally used.

Steps to Start Cellular Topology Project in NS3

Step 1: Set Up NS3

  1. Install NS3:
    • Go to NS3 page to download and install the NS3.
    • We adhere to the installation instructions.
    • Make sure that we have LTE or 5G modules that are installed (available in the NS3 core or extensions such as ns-3-mmWave).
  2. Verify Installation: We can execute a simple LTE simulation script making sure functionality:

./waf –run lte-simple

Step 2: Understand Cellular Topology

  • Cellular Topology:
    • It encompasses base stations (eNodeBs for LTE or gNodeBs for 5G) and user equipment (UEs).
    • UEs interact with each other through the base stations.
    • Base stations are linked to a central gateway or EPC (Evolved Packet Core).

Step 3: Plan the Topology

  1. Define the network structure:
    • For instance:
      • 1 EPC (Evolved Packet Core).
      • 2 eNodeBs.
      • 10 UEs delivered between the eNodeBs.
  2. Set goals:
    • Replicate interaction among the UEs.
    • We estimate the performance indicators such as throughput, latency, and packet loss.

Step 4: Set Up the Cellular Topology

  1. Include Required Modules: Make certain that necessary LTE or 5G headers are contained.

#include “ns3/lte-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

  1. Create the EPC: Configure the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network using the below code.

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

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

lteHelper->SetEpcHelper(epcHelper);

Ptr<Node> pgw = epcHelper->GetPgwNode();

  1. Install Base Stations (eNodeBs): We make nodes for base stations and then configure its locations.

NodeContainer eNodeBs;

eNodeBs.Create(2); // Two eNodeBs

MobilityHelper eNodeBMobility;

eNodeBMobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(200.0),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(200.0),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(2),

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

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

eNodeBMobility.Install(eNodeBs);

lteHelper->InstallEnbDevice(eNodeBs);

  1. Install User Equipment (UEs): Make UEs and deliver them between the eNodeBs.

NodeContainer ues;

ues.Create(10); // Ten UEs

MobilityHelper ueMobility;

ueMobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::RandomRectanglePositionAllocator”,

“X”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0.0|Max=400.0]”),

“Y”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0.0|Max=400.0]”));

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

ueMobility.Install(ues);

NetDeviceContainer ueDevices = lteHelper->InstallUeDevice(ues);

  1. Assign IPs and Connect UEs to eNodeBs: We associate UEs to the network and then allocate an IP addresses.

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(ues);

lteHelper->Attach(ueDevices.Get(0), eNodeBs.Get(0)); // Attach first UE to the first eNodeB

lteHelper->Attach(ueDevices.Get(1), eNodeBs.Get(1)); // Attach second UE to the second eNodeB

Ipv4InterfaceContainer ueIpIfaces = epcHelper->AssignUeIpv4Address(NetDeviceContainer(ueDevices));

// Enable IP forwarding for UEs

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

Ptr<Node> ue = ues.Get(i);

Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4 = ue->GetObject<Ipv4>();

ipv4->SetAttribute(“IpForward”, BooleanValue(true));

}

Step 5: Set Up Applications

  1. Install Applications: Configure an application replicating the traffic among UEs.

uint16_t dlPort = 1234;

ApplicationContainer clientApps, serverApps;

UdpServerHelper udpServer(dlPort);

serverApps.Add(udpServer.Install(ues.Get(0))); // Server on first UE

serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpClientHelper udpClient(ueIpIfaces.GetAddress(0), dlPort);

udpClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(1000));

udpClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(MilliSeconds(10)));

udpClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));

clientApps.Add(udpClient.Install(ues.Get(1))); // Client on second UE

clientApps.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

Step 6: Run and Analyze

  1. Run the Simulation:

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

  1. Enable Packet Capture: We can save .pcap files for traffic analysis.

lteHelper->EnableTraces();

  1. Trace Logs: Allow NS3 logging for debugging:

export NS_LOG=”UdpClientApplication=level_all|prefix_func”

./waf –run scratch/cellular_topology

Example: Minimal NS3 Script for Cellular Topology

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/lte-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

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

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

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

lteHelper->SetEpcHelper(epcHelper);

Ptr<Node> pgw = epcHelper->GetPgwNode();

NodeContainer eNodeBs, ues;

eNodeBs.Create(2); // Two eNodeBs

ues.Create(10);    // Ten UEs

MobilityHelper eNodeBMobility, ueMobility;

eNodeBMobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(200.0),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(200.0),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(2),

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

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

eNodeBMobility.Install(eNodeBs);

ueMobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::RandomRectanglePositionAllocator”,

“X”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0.0|Max=400.0]”),

“Y”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0.0|Max=400.0]”));

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

ueMobility.Install(ues);

NetDeviceContainer enbDevices = lteHelper->InstallEnbDevice(eNodeBs);

NetDeviceContainer ueDevices = lteHelper->InstallUeDevice(ues);

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(ues);

lteHelper->Attach(ueDevices.Get(0), enbDevices.Get(0));

lteHelper->Attach(ueDevices.Get(1), enbDevices.Get(1));

Ipv4InterfaceContainer ueIpIfaces = epcHelper->AssignUeIpv4Address(NetDeviceContainer(ueDevices));

uint16_t dlPort = 1234;

ApplicationContainer clientApps, serverApps;

UdpServerHelper udpServer(dlPort);

serverApps.Add(udpServer.Install(ues.Get(0)));

serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpClientHelper udpClient(ueIpIfaces.GetAddress

Above fundamental approach was demonstrated with sample coding for Cellular Topology Projects, simulated and analysed through NS3 tool. More relevant details are forthcoming based on your needs.

Let us know all the details about your project so we can give you the best advice. At phdprojects.org, we offer a step-by-step guide to help you start and simulate Cellular Topology using the NS3 tool. Our developers are here to assist you in achieving great performance for your project. We use this topology in mobile networks like LTE and 5G to ensure you get the best results for your project.