How to Start Cloud RAN Projects Using NS2

To start a Cloud Radio Access Network (Cloud-RAN or C-RAN) project in NS2 which requires designing the network’s centralized and distributed modules in which the baseband processing units (BBUs) are centralized within the cloud whereas remote radio heads (RRHs) are sent near to users. NS2 isn’t particularly created for C-RAN then it can prolong and tailor for replicating core features of this architecture.

Below is a comprehensive instruction to get started with Cloud-RAN projects using NS2:

Steps to Start Cloud-RAN Projects in NS2

  1. Understand Cloud-RAN Architecture

Key Components:

  • Remote Radio Heads (RRHs):
    • Distributed radio units, which manage the wireless interaction with users.
  • Baseband Units (BBUs):
    • Centralized within the cloud for executing signals from numerous RRHs.
  • Fronthaul:
    • High-speed links to associate the modules like RRHs to BBUs.

Key Features:

  • Minimized latency and power utilization.
  • Centralized processing for resource sharing and load balancing.
  • It is accessible and adaptable network architecture.
  1. Install NS2
  1. Download NS2: Utilise NS2 official website for downloading NS2 on the system.
  2. Install: Adhere to the installation guidance according to the operating system (preferably Linux).
  3. Verify Installation: Confirm simple example scripts for making sure that the simulator is properly functioning.
  1. Define Project Objectives

Decide on the focus of Cloud-RAN project goals:

  • Resource Allocation: Load balancing and resource optimization between the BBUs.
  • Fronthaul Performance: Measure the performance parameters such as latency, bandwidth, and reliability.
  • Energy Efficiency: Examine energy consumption within RRHs and BBUs.
  • User-Centric Services: Compute the user metrics like throughput, delay, and QoS.
  1. Extend NS2 for Cloud-RAN

While NS2 doesn’t inherently support Cloud-RAN, we can:

  1. Model RRHs and BBUs:
    • Consider RRHs like nodes within NS2.
    • It denotes the BBUs as centralized nodes including higher processing power.
  2. Simulate Fronthaul Links:
    • Design fronthaul links to utilise wired connections.
    • Comprise of delays and bandwidth limitations.
  3. Implement Resource Allocation Algorithms:
    • Prolong NS2 including custom scripts or C++ components for managing resource scheduling and load balancing.
  4. Modify Propagation Models:
    • Model the wireless propagation patterns for interaction among the RRHs and users.
  1. Write a TCL Script for Cloud-RAN Simulation

Below is a stepwise instruction for replicating Cloud-RAN using NS2:

Step 1: Define Simulation Parameters

set ns [new Simulator]

# Define channel and propagation model

set val(chan)   Channel/WirelessChannel

set val(prop)   Propagation/TwoRayGround  ;# Propagation model

set val(mac)    Mac/802_11               ;# MAC protocol

set val(ifq)    Queue/DropTail/PriQueue  ;# Interface queue type

set val(ll)     LL                       ;# Link layer type

set val(netif)  Phy/WirelessPhy          ;# Network interface

set val(ant)    Antenna/OmniAntenna      ;# Antenna type

set val(x)      1000                    ;# X-dimension of topology

set val(y)      1000                    ;# Y-dimension of topology

Step 2: Create Nodes

Describe RRHs, BBUs, and User Equipment (UE):

# Create RRH nodes

set rrh_0 [$ns node]

$rrh_0 set X_ 100

$rrh_0 set Y_ 200

set rrh_1 [$ns node]

$rrh_1 set X_ 300

$rrh_1 set Y_ 400

# Create BBU pool

set bbu [$ns node]

$bbu set X_ 500

$bbu set Y_ 500

# Create User Equipment (UE)

set ue_0 [$ns node]

$ue_0 set X_ 50

$ue_0 set Y_ 150

Step 3: Configure Links

Replicate fronthaul connections among the RRHs and the BBU:

# Fronthaul links (high-speed wired)

$ns duplex-link $rrh_0 $bbu 1Gb 1ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $rrh_1 $bbu 1Gb 1ms DropTail

# Wireless link between RRH and UE

$ns duplex-link $rrh_0 $ue_0 10Mb 10ms DropTail

Step 4: Add Traffic

Mimic user data transmission and fronthaul traffic:

# Attach TCP agent to UE

set tcp [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $ue_0 $tcp

# Attach TCP sink agent to BBU

set sink [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $bbu $sink

# Connect TCP agent to sink

$ns connect $tcp $sink

# Add FTP traffic over TCP

set ftp [new Application/FTP]

$ftp attach-agent $tcp

$ns at 1.0 “$ftp start”

Step 5: Introduce Mobility (Optional)

Replicate the dynamic user environments:

$ns at 2.0 “$ue_0 setdest 150 300 5.0”

  1. Run the Simulation

We need to store the script like cloud_ran_simulation.tcl and run the simulation:

ns cloud_ran_simulation.tcl

  1. Analyze Results
  1. Trace File Analysis:
    • Examine the performance metrics such as throughput, delay, and packet loss.
    • Example:

grep “tcp” tracefile.tr

  1. Visualization:
    • Envision node interaction to utilise NAM (Network Animator):

nam output.nam

  1. Graphical Analysis:
    • Plot performance indicators to utilise external tools like Xgraph, Python, or MATLAB.
  1. Extend the Simulation
  2. Resource Allocation
  • Execute the dynamic resource allocation for ideal RRH-BBU operation.
  1. Energy Efficiency
  • Design power-saving mechanisms like sleep modes for RRHs in the course of low traffic.
  1. Interference Management
  • Replicate the interference among the RRHs and then execute mitigation mechanisms.
  1. AI Integration
  • Enhance the load balancing and energy usage to apply AI/ML-based resource management algorithms.
  1. Example Applications
  1. Fronthaul Performance:
    • Measure the effect of bandwidth and latency on user QoS metrics.
  2. Load Balancing:
    • Experiment BBUs dynamic allocation for managing diverse traffic requests.
  3. Energy Efficiency:
    • Mimic energy-aware interaction protocols within Cloud-RAN.
  1. Explore Advanced Tools

If NS2 doesn’t offers adequate aspects for Cloud-RAN simulations, then we can utilise following tools like:

  • NS3: It offers modern wireless and 5G simulation support.
  • OMNeT++: This environment is adaptable and modular for advanced interaction networks.
  • MATLAB/Simulink: Optimal to design the Cloud-RAN at the physical layer.
  • QualNet/EXata: It is dedicated network simulators including Cloud-RAN capabilities.

In the conclusion, we entirely learn about how the Cloud-RAN simulates and extends in NS2 environment through given procedure.  Further specifics details about this topic to be offered based on your requirements.