How to Start Telecommunication Projects Using NS2

To start a Telecommunication project in NS2 (Network Simulator 2) that encompasses to replicate the interaction networks, which are normally categorized with the support of high reliability, large-scale connectivity, and specific quality of service (QoS) needs. These projects aim to replicate the cellular networks (GSM, CDMA, and LTE), broadband communication, or satellite communication systems.

While NS2 can be applied for replicating diverse kinds of telecommunication systems, it needs set up and scripting to successfully execute various patterns and protocols. Below is a basic guide on how to start a telecommunication project using NS2:

Steps to Start Telecommunication Projects in NS2

  1. Install NS2

Make sure that NS2 is installed on the computer. Unless, we adhere to the installation guidance based on operating system:

  • We can download from the NS2 website
  • Follow the installation steps for OS like Linux, macOS, or Windows.
  1. Identify the Type of Telecommunication Network

Telecommunication networks can be varied:

  • Cellular Networks: GSM, CDMA, 3G, LTE, and 5G networks.
  • Satellite Networks: Point-to-point communication to utilise satellites.
  • Broadband Networks: Wired (DSL, cable) or wireless broadband technologies.
  • Wi-Fi and WiMAX: Wireless communication technologies.
  • Network Backbone and Transport Layers: It concentrates on data transfer, backbone routers, and high-performance transport protocols.

We can describe the kind of Telecommunication network for replicating within NS2, and it will impact the protocols and we will be executed the models.

  1. Set Up Basic Telecommunication Simulation in NS2

A simple telecommunication simulation might configure a simple topology including various kinds of nodes and a wireless or wired network. Below instance is mobile or wireless nodes communication to utilise simple application-level traffic.

Example: Basic Mobile Communication (Cellular-like) Network

This instance replicates the simple network interaction among the in a cellular-like scenario. Mobile nodes can be interacted with a base station over a wireless link, and the communication is handled by a routing protocol.

# Initialize the simulator

set ns [new Simulator]

# Create nodes

set node1 [$ns node]

set node2 [$ns node]

set node3 [$ns node]

# Set up wireless communication link (simple duplex link)

$ns simplex-link $node1 $node2 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns simplex-link $node2 $node3 1Mb 10ms DropTail

# Mobility model (Random Waypoint model)

$node1 random-motion 1

$node2 random-motion 2

$node3 random-motion 3

# Application layer traffic (CBR – constant bit rate)

set app1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

set app2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$app1 attach-agent $node1

$app2 attach-agent $node3

$app1 set packetSize_ 512

$app1 set rate_ 1000

$app2 set packetSize_ 512

$app2 set rate_ 1000

$app1 set dstNode $node2

$app2 set dstNode $node1

# Run the simulation

$ns run

  • Nodes: In basic network, node1, node2, and node3 are mobile devices or nodes.
  • Wireless Links: Simplex wireless links are made among the nodes.
  • Mobility: Random waypoint mobility model is utilised for node movement.
  • Traffic: Constant Bit Rate (CBR) traffic is created for interaction.
  1. Implement Telecommunication Protocols

Telecommunication networks contain certain protocols for communication, involving:

  • Routing Protocols (MANETs): AODV, DSR, OLSR, and so on.
  • QoS Protocols: To assure particular network metrics such latency, throughput, jitters, and so on.
  • Cellular Routing: For cellular systems such as GSM, LTE, and so on, that may contain certain standards for handover, cell selection, etc.

For example, if we are replicating the cellular networks with GSM or LTE:

Example: Using AODV in Cellular Simulation

# Create AODV routing protocol

set aodv1 [new AODV]

$ns node-config -routing-protocol AODV

# Attach AODV routing protocol to nodes

$node1 set protocol AODV

$node2 set protocol AODV

$node3 set protocol AODV

AODV (Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector) is frequently utilised within mobile networks such as MANETs, however, we require to execute a more certain protocol like GSM handover, LTE protocols for cellular simulations.

  1. Simulate Cell Towers (Base Stations)

In cellular networks, nodes interact with base stations or cell towers. In NS2, replicate it to utilise base stations as fixed nodes within the network that interact with mobile nodes. Also, we need to describe the regions or cells for each base station and replicate handovers.

Let’s see how to replicate base stations and mobile nodes:

Example: Simulating Base Stations in Cellular Networks

# Create nodes (base station and mobile nodes)

set base_station [$ns node]

set mobile_node1 [$ns node]

set mobile_node2 [$ns node]

# Create links between the base station and mobile nodes

$ns simplex-link $base_station $mobile_node1 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns simplex-link $base_station $mobile_node2 1Mb 10ms DropTail

# Mobility model: Random waypoints for mobile nodes

$mobile_node1 random-motion 1

$mobile_node2 random-motion 2

# Set applications (data traffic)

set app1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

set app2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$app1 attach-agent $mobile_node1

$app2 attach-agent $mobile_node2

$app1 set packetSize_ 512

$app1 set rate_ 1000

$app2 set packetSize_ 512

$app2 set rate_ 1000

$app1 set dstNode $base_station

$app2 set dstNode $base_station

# Run the simulation

$ns run

In this case:

  • Base station: One node performs like a base station, which interacts with the mobile nodes (mobile_node1 and mobile_node2).
  • Traffic: CBR traffic is made among the mobile nodes and the base station.
  • Mobility: The mobile nodes transfer around to utilise random waypoint model.
  1. Channel Models in Telecommunication

The channel model performs as a significant role in telecommunication systems. NS2 offers various propagation models like:

  • Free-space model for optimal situations.
  • TwoRayGround model for realistic propagation including ground reflections.
  • Shadowing and fading models to replicate hte signal degradation over distance and obstacles.

Example: Setting a Wireless Channel with Propagation Models

# Set up the wireless channel with the TwoRayGround propagation model

set chan [new Channel/WirelessChannel]

set prop [new Propagation/TwoRayGround]

set antenna [new Antenna/OmniAntenna]

# Set up wireless link with defined properties

$ns duplex-link $base_station $mobile_node1 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $base_station $mobile_node2 1Mb 10ms DropTail

This configurations a TwoRayGround propagation model for the wireless link that is more real than a basic free-space model.

  1. Quality of Service (QoS) for Telecommunication Networks

Telecommunication systems frequently require handling the Quality of Service (QoS) for assuring particular performance levels such as bandwidth, latency, and jitter. NS2 permits to set the QoS metrics:

  • Bandwidth: Configure by the link capacity (e.g., 1Mbps).
  • Delay: Set to utilise the link delay metric.
  • Packet prioritization: Make use of protocols such as DiffServ or IntServ for QoS.

We will need to describe these metrics to utilise NS2’s traffic control tools:

# Set QoS parameters on the link (e.g., bandwidth and delay)

$ns simplex-link $mobile_node1 $base_station 1Mb 10ms DropTail

For more advanced QoS aspects, we need to utilise the Traffic Generator/Queueing components.

  1. Run the Simulation and Collect Results

When we have configured the simulation including nodes, links, protocols, mobility, and traffic then we execute the simulation and gather the outcomes.

Execute the NS2 script to utilise the following command:

ns telecommunication_simulation.tcl

It will produce output files, which has data regarding packet transmissions, routing decisions, delays, and more.

  1. Visualize and Analyze Simulation Results

During the simulation, NS2 makes trace files that we examine for estimating the performance of network. Envision the outcomes to utilise AWK scripts and NAM (Network Animator) tools.

Example: Using AWK to Analyze Trace Files

awk ‘{if ($1 == “r”) print $0}’ telecommunication_simulation.tr

This command, from the trace file obtains all received packets (r represents received packets) for advanced analysis.

Visualizing Results with NAM

nam telecommunication_simulation.nam

NAM permits to visualise the simulation and displaying how the nodes transfer, interact, and the packets’ path via the network.

  1. Extend and Experiment

When basic simulation is executed then we need to prolong the project by:

  • Executing cellular handover to replicate the mobile node transitions among base stations.
  • Integrating satellite communication models to mimic space-based telecommunication.
  • In a telecommunication network, replicating network congestion, link failures, and reliability issues.
  • Measuring network performance parameters like throughput, latency, packet loss, and so on.

Conclusion

Starting a telecommunication project using NS2, we can:

  1. Configure the simple network topology for mobile or telecommunication devices.
  2. Specify mobility models and protocols like cellular, routing, QoS.
  3. Replicate the wireless channel to utilise suitable propagation models.
  4. Configure application traffic for generating network load.
  5. Execute the simulation and then examine the outcomes to apply trace files and NAM.
  6. Prolong the simulation for designing more complex features such as handover, QoS, and satellite interaction.

Adhering to these steps will permit you to initiate the simulation of various telecommunication systems, estimate its performance parameters and experiment diverse protocols and sets up using NS2 simulation environment. We can ready to broaden this project based on your requirements.