How to Start Underwater Sensor Network Projects Using NS2

To create a Underwater Sensor Network (UWSN) project using NS2 (Network Simulator 2) it needs to the replicate of  communication in a submerged environment, that includes the challenges such as high broadcast delays, multipath fading, limited bandwidth, and energy efficiency. Though NS2 is widely used for replicating terrestrial wireless networks, replicate the UWSNs needs for specialized channel models, mobility patterns, and communication protocols designed for underwater environments.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started with Underwater Sensor Network (UWSN) projects using NS2:

Steps to Start Underwater Sensor Network Projects Using NS2

  1. Install NS2

Assure the NS2 is installed and properly configure on the system. We can install it by following the appropriate instructions for your operating system.

  • For Linux: We can install NS2 using the following command:

sudo apt-get install ns2

  • For macOS/Windows: NS2 can be installed using a virtual machine or through Cygwin for Windows.

Once installed, validate the process for simple sample replicate to confirm that NS2 is working perfect.

  1. Understand UWSN Characteristics

Underwater Sensor Networks have unique characteristics compared to terrestrial networks:

  • Propagation Speed: Sound waves in water broadcast slower than in air. These outcomes in much increase the delays and longer communication duration.
  • Multipath Propagation: The transmission signals are undergo reflections from the surface, sea floor, and other objects, causing multipath impacts.
  • Limited Bandwidth: Due to the physical assets of underwater acoustics, the bandwidth is much minimum the terrestrial wireless networks.
  • Low Energy: Energy efficiency is complex in UWSNs as sensors are often powered through batteries which are difficult to replace.
  • Communication Protocols: UWSNs typically use acoustic waves for communication that need for detailed protocols for routing and data transmission.
  1. Extend NS2 for Underwater Networks

NS2 does not natively help for underwater networks; nevertheless there are numerous extensions and modules available that can replicate the underwater environments.

Download and Install UWSN Modules for NS2

There are many extensions which specifically goal underwater acoustic sensor networks in NS2. Some well-known modules are:

  • Underwater Acoustic Network (UAN) Module for NS2: This module offers the environment for replicating an acoustic communication among the underwater sensor nodes.
    • GitHub Repository: UAN NS2 Module
    • The module has involves the models for propagation, noise, and channel conditions detailed to underwater environments.

To install the UAN module:

  1. Download the module from GitHub or other sources.
  2. Extract the files into the NS2 directory.
  3. Recompile NS2 with the UAN module.

The UAN module typically includes models for:

  • Acoustic Channel: Replicates the underwater propagation features such as multipath, attenuation.
  • Underwater Node Models: Models for sensor nodes equipped by underwater communication capabilities.
  • Energy Models: Models for replicating the energy usage for underwater sensor nodes.
  1. Set up UWSN Topology

After the UAN module is installed, we can start creating a replication for the Underwater Sensor Network.

In a basic UWSN simulation, you’ll need to:

  • Create nodes: Expressive the underwater sensor nodes for creation of node.
  • Deploy nodes: Locate the nodes in the underwater environment.
  • Set communication channels: Acoustic channels which pattern an underwater communication features.
  • Set mobility models: We replicate the node action in the underwater environment such as if needed.
  • Set energy models: Energy usage we replicate the UWSN nodes.

Example UWSN Topology in NS2

# Load UAN package (UAN is typically an extension module for NS2)

package require uan

# Create the simulator instance

set ns [new Simulator]

# Create underwater nodes (sensor nodes)

set node1 [$ns node]

set node2 [$ns node]

set node3 [$ns node]

# Set mobility model for the nodes (for example, random waypoints)

$node1 random-motion

$node2 random-motion

$node3 random-motion

# Set Acoustic Channel between nodes

set channel [new Channel/UAN]

# Attach the channel to the nodes

$ns attach-channel $channel

# Create communication agents (e.g., TCP or UDP)

set udp1 [new Agent/UDP]

set udp2 [new Agent/UDP]

# Attach agents to the nodes

$ns attach-agent $node1 $udp1

$ns attach-agent $node2 $udp2

# Set up traffic (e.g., CBR traffic between nodes)

set cbr [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$cbr attach-agent $udp1

$ns at 1.0 “$cbr start”

$ns at 4.0 “$cbr stop”

# Set energy consumption model

set energy [new EnergyModel]

$ns attach-energy-model $node1 $energy

$ns attach-energy-model $node2 $energy

$ns attach-energy-model $node3 $energy

# Set up the simulation and run

$ns run

Explanation:

  • We built a nodes such as representing underwater sensor nodes.
  • The UAN package replicates the acoustic communication among their nodes.
  • The Acoustic Channel pattern is underwater communication environment.
  • Traffic is created using a CBR (Constant Bit Rate) application among the nodes.
  • An Energy Model is further replicate the energy usage for the underwater nodes.
  1. Propagation and Channel Models

In UWSNs, the broadcast model plays a significant part on how the signals travel among nodes. The acoustic communication model accounts for:

  • Signal Attenuation: The less signal for strength of the over distance.
  • Multipath Propagation: Several paths which signal can take due to reflections.
  • Noise Models: Background noise in the underwater environment that can interfere by communication for the model.

These models are frequently executed as part of the UAN extension, and we can alter if required. For instance, you can specify the frequency band, transmission power, and attenuation factors to simulate different underwater scenarios.

Example of Acoustic Channel Settings in NS2:

# Set parameters for the UAN channel

$channel set bandwidth_ 1024

$channel set frequency_ 20e3

$channel set noise_ 10

These performance parameters adapt the bandwidth, frequency, and noise level in the underwater communication model.

  1. Energy Efficiency and Battery Models

Energy efficiency is crucial in UWSNs because sensor nodes are frequently powered through limited battery resources. NS2 can replicate the energy usage by battery models.

In the UAN module, we can use an Energy Model to replicate the consumption of energy through the nodes during data transmission, reception, and idle periods.

Example energy model setup:

# Attach energy model to nodes

set energyModel [new EnergyModel]

$ns attach-energy-model $node1 $energyModel

$ns attach-energy-model $node2 $energyModel

# Define energy parameters (transmission, reception, idle power consumption)

$energyModel set tx_power_ 0.2  ;# Transmission power in watts

$energyModel set rx_power_ 0.15 ;# Reception power in watts

$energyModel set idle_power_ 0.05 ;# Idle power consumption in watts

  1. Traffic Generation and Application Layer

UWSNs typically use UDP or TCP for communication and congestion can be created using applications such as Constant Bit Rate (CBR) or File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Dependent on the research, we can also use the modify congestion model it replicate the precise application are interested in such as environmental monitoring, surveillance.

You can define traffic patterns as follows:

# CBR Traffic between node1 and node2

set cbr [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$cbr attach-agent $udp1

$ns at 2.0 “$cbr start”

$ns at 5.0 “$cbr stop”

  1. Mobility Models

In many UWSN environments, nodes can be transfer. If we need to replicate the mobility, it can use a Random Waypoint Mobility Model or modify the model for underwater environments. UWSNs has involve the nodes moving in 3D space such as up and down in the water column, so it’s important to replicate the mobility in three dimensions.

Example of a simple mobility model:

# Set up random mobility model

$node1 random-motion

$node2 random-motion

$node3 random-motion

We can also use alter the mobility models which replicate the detailed for underwater environments.

  1. Run and Analyze the Simulation

After the replication setting is complete, process for the NS2 script:

ns uwsn_simulation.tcl

NS2 will create a trace files which includes the information about packet delivery, energy consumption, and other network metrics. We can study these trace files using AWK scripts or XGraph to envision for performance metrics such as throughput, packet loss, delay, and energy consumption.

  1. Extend the Simulation

Next getting the simple replication for process, we can encompass through:

  • Simulating more complex routing protocols for UWSNs, like as Flooding-based Routing, AODV (Ad Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector), or Geographical Routing.
  • Experimenting with different mobility models and node densities to view on how the network behaves in various environments.
  • Optimizing energy consumption through executing the power-aware routing and sleep modes.
  • Including more realistic channel models, it considering the node-to-node interference or fading channels.

Conclusion

Starting an Underwater Sensor Network (UWSN) project in NS2 involves setting up a realistic underwater environment with acoustic channels, energy models, and mobility patterns. Since NS2 does not natively support UWSNs, you will need to install specific modules like the UAN (Underwater Acoustic Networks) extension. Once set up, you can simulate UWSN behaviors such as communication, energy consumption, and mobility, and analyze performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of different protocols and scenarios.

Using ns2, we performed a complete underwater sensor network project analysis through given simulation process. We will also deliver further additional details about this sensor in another report work.