How to Start Vertical Handover Projects Using OMNeT++

To start a Vertical Handover project using OMNeT++ that needs to replicate the seamless transition of a mobile device from one type of network to other network such as Wi-Fi to LTE, or 4G to 5G. Following is a comprehensive method to get started:

Steps to Start Vertical Handover Projects in OMNeT++

  1. Install OMNeT++
  • Download and Install: Go to the official OMNeT++ webpage to download the new version of it on the system.
  • Verify: Make sure that OMNeT++ IDE is correctly installed.
  1. Set Up Required Frameworks

We will require some frameworks for vertical handover, which is used for mobility and heterogeneous network communication:

Recommended Frameworks:

  • INET Framework: This framework offers mobility models, wireless communication, and it assists for numerous types of network such as Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G.
  • SimuLTE: It supports for LTE and 5G simulation.
  • Veins (optional): It is helpful if we are learning the handovers within vehicular networks for vehicular communications.

Steps to Install:

  1. Initially, we should download the INET and SimuLTE frameworks.
  2. Then, obtain the files in the OMNeT++ workspace.
  3. In the OMNeT++ IDE, we import the projects using File > Import > Existing Projects.
  1. Understand Vertical Handover Basics
  • Key Components:
    • Handover Decision: It helps to select when and where to hand over.
    • Handover Trigger: According to the RSSI, bandwidth, latency, or other parameters to cause handover.
    • Seamless Transition: It makes sure minimal disruption in the course of the handover.
  • Metrics to Simulate: We should replicate the performance parameters like:
    • Handover latency.
    • Packet loss during handover.
    • Throughput and QoS before, during, and after handover.
  1. Define Network Topology
  • Heterogeneous Network Setup:
    • In the simulation, we can contain several network types such as Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G.
    • Describe the mobile nodes and base stations or access points for network configuration.

Example .ned File:

network VerticalHandoverNetwork

{

submodules:

wifiAccessPoint: AccessPoint;

lteBaseStation: BaseStation;

mobileNode: MobileNode;

connections:

wifiAccessPoint.gate++ <–> mobileNode.gate++;

lteBaseStation.gate++ <–> mobileNode.gate++;

}

  1. Implement Handover Logic
  • Decision Algorithm: Make a custom C++ class or prolong the existing modules, we need to execute the decision algorithm.
    • With the support of RSSI, latency, or QoS metrics to cause handovers.
  • Mobility Model:
    • Make use of INET’s mobility modules, to set the mobility of the mobile node.

Example Mobility Configuration in omnetpp.ini:

*.mobileNode.mobilityType = “MassMobility”

*.mobileNode.mobility.initialX = 0

*.mobileNode.mobility.initialY = 0

*.mobileNode.mobility.speed = uniform(5, 10) # Random speed between 5 and 10 m/s

Example Handover Trigger Code in C++:

void MobileNode::handleHandoverTrigger()

{

if (getCurrentRSSI(wifiAccessPoint) < threshold && getCurrentRSSI(lteBaseStation) > threshold)

{

performHandover(lteBaseStation);

}

}

  1. Configure the Simulation
  • Configure metrics such as handover thresholds, simulation time, and parameters to log in the omnetpp.ini file.

Example omnetpp.ini:

network = VerticalHandoverNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

*.handoverThreshold = -70dBm

*.wifiAccessPoint.bandwidth = 54Mbps

*.lteBaseStation.bandwidth = 100Mbps

  1. Run and Debug Simulation
  • Run: Now, we execute the simulation by right-clicking on the .ini file and also choosing Run As > OMNeT++ Simulation.
  • Visualize: In the simulation GUI to monitor the handover events.
  • Debug: Debug handover decisions to utilize the breakpoints or logs.
  1. Analyze Results
  • Metrics to Evaluate: We should measure the parameters such as,
    • Handover success rate.
    • Handover latency.
    • Packet loss during handover.
    • Network throughput and QoS.
  • Tools:
    • In .sca and .vec files, we can utilize the built-in result tools of OMNeT++ for analysis.
    • Transfer outcomes into Python, MATLAB tools for in depth analysis.
  1. Extend the Project
  • Advanced Handover Strategies:
    • Make use of neural networks or reinforcement learning for AI-based handover executive.
  • QoS Metrics:
    • Incorporate QoS metrics such as jitter, latency, and energy consumption to handover decisions.
  • Security:
    • Replicate the attacks such as spoofing to experiment the handover mechanism’s security.
  1. Optional: Integrate External Tools
  • For mobility simulations, we can utilize the framework SUMO (Simulation of Urban Mobility) including OMNeT++ and Veins within the urban environments.
  • Integrate with SimuLTE framework for LTE/5G-specific handover settings.

Example Vertical Handover Scenarios

  1. Wi-Fi to LTE Handover:
    • It can be activated when RSSI below a threshold from Wi-Fi drops.
  2. LTE to 5G Handover:
    • According to the bandwidth needs or latency limitations for LTE to 5G handover.
  3. Vehicular Handover:
    • For high-speed nodes transitioning among the network types like Wi-Fi and LTE within urban or highway settings.

With OMNeT++ as our tool, we have successfully simulated and examined the Vertical Handover project using the above step-by-step procedure with sample coding and more detailed instructions will be provided in the upcoming manual.

If you need help with switching from advanced Wi-Fi to LTE or moving from 4G to 5G networks, our experts are here for you! We can provide the best advice and take care of everything for you. We also work on Vertical Handover Projects using the OMNeT++ tool, customized to fit your needs. Just send us an email, and we’ll be happy to assist you!