How to Start UWB Communication Projects Using NS3

To start an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) communication project using NS3, we need to configure nodes interaction to utilize UWB technology that is recognised for their high data rate, low power consumption, and able to work within environments along with high interference. While NS3 does not have directly support UWB modules however we can replicate some UWB features by means of modifying the NS3’s PHY and MAC layers deliberating UWB characteristics like high bandwidth and low power. Now, we guide you on how to set up a UWB-like communication project through following steps in NS3.

Steps to Start UWB Communication Projects in NS3

  1. Install NS3
  1. Download and Install NS3, if we don’t install it earlier:

git clone https://gitlab.com/nsnam/ns-3-dev.git ns-3

cd ns-3

./waf configure –enable-examples –enable-tests

./waf build

  1. To confirm Installation by executing a simple instance:

./waf –run=point-to-point

  1. Understand UWB Communication Characteristics

UWB interaction varies from conventional wireless communication in the given ways:

  • High Bandwidth: UWB normally utilizes frequencies within the range of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz including too broad channel bandwidth that range is up to 500 MHz or more.
  • Low Power Consumption: UWB functions on low power preventing the interference with other narrowband systems.
  • Short-Range Communication: This communication normally utilized for short-range, high-data-rate applications.

We can estimate these characteristics by way of setting up custom settings within the WiFi PHY layer otherwise to utilize certain propagation delay and loss models in NS3.

  1. Choose a Base Communication Model

WiFi (in ad-hoc mode or using a modified PHY layer) or CSMA can function like a base model for UWB simulation. Even though neither WiFi nor CSMA accurately suits the UWB then we can be modified them deliberating the UWB-like characteristics.

  1. Customize PHY Layer Parameters to Reflect UWB
  1. Channel Bandwidth: In the WiFi or CSMA module, configure a high channel bandwidth normally that range is 500 MHz or higher, by means of setting up the PHY layer.
  2. Transmit Power: Minimize the transmit power replicating low-power operation of UWB.

Example: Configure UWB-Like PHY Layer Using WiFi

Following is an instance configuring the nodes to interact through a high-bandwidth, low-power link to utilize WiFi PHY.

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/wifi-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

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

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

// Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(2);

// Set up WiFi PHY for UWB-like communication

YansWifiChannelHelper channel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default();

YansWifiPhyHelper phy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default();

phy.SetChannel(channel.Create());

// Customize PHY settings to mimic UWB

phy.Set(“Frequency”, UintegerValue(5000));           // Higher frequency, e.g., 5 GHz band

phy.Set(“ChannelWidth”, UintegerValue(160));         // Wide channel to simulate UWB bandwidth

phy.Set(“TxPowerStart”, DoubleValue(-10.0));         // Lower transmission power to simulate UWB

phy.Set(“TxPowerEnd”, DoubleValue(-10.0));

// Configure WiFi for ad-hoc mode

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard(WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211n_5GHZ);

WifiMacHelper mac;

mac.SetType(“ns3::AdhocWifiMac”); // Use ad-hoc mode to simulate direct communication

NetDeviceContainer devices = wifi.Install(phy, mac, nodes);

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(nodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);

// Set up mobility

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(5.0),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(5.0),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(2),

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

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

mobility.Install(nodes);

// Set up UDP echo applications to simulate data transmission

uint16_t port = 9;

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(port);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(1));

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(interfaces.GetAddress(1), port);

echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(10));

echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));

echoClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(512));

ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(0));

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

  1. Set Up Propagation Delay and Loss Models

UWB communication contains unique propagation features that frequently designed along with particular delay and loss models considering for multipath and attenuation.

  1. Propagation Delay: Configure a repaired speed of propagation utilizing ConstantSpeedPropagationDelayModel.
  2. Path Loss: Replicate the behaviour of UWB across short distances to use FriisPropagationLossModel or a custom loss model.

channel.SetPropagationDelay(“ns3::ConstantSpeedPropagationDelayModel”);

channel.SetPropagationLoss(“ns3::FriisPropagationLossModel”, “Frequency”, DoubleValue(5e9));

  1. Set Up Applications for Data Transmission

Replicate interaction among the UWB nodes utilizing applications such as OnOffApplication or UdpEchoApplication. This data might signify normal use cases of UWB like localization data, short-range file transfers, or control signals.

Example with OnOffApplication:

OnOffHelper onOff(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(interfaces.GetAddress(1), port));

onOff.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“50Mbps”)); // High data rate

onOff.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024)); // UWB packets are often small

ApplicationContainer onOffApp = onOff.Install(nodes.Get(0));

onOffApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

onOffApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

  1. Collect and Analyze Performance Metrics

We can examine the crucial performance parameters for UWB communication contains:

  • Throughput: Estimate the data rate that attained among the nodes.
  • Latency: UWB communication frequently advantages from low-latency operation.
  • Signal Strength and Interference: UWB functions on low power thus signal strength and interference are crucial deliberations.

Accumulate performance data utilizing NS3’s FlowMonitor:

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

Ptr<FlowMonitor> monitor = flowmon.InstallAll();

monitor->SerializeToXmlFile(“uwb-flowmon.xml”, true, true);

  1. Visualize and Analyze Results
  • NetAnim: For envisioning the nodes, data flows, and interaction range to utilise NetAnim.
  • Trace Analysis: Analyse NS3 trace files examining the packet transmission, latency, and throughput.
  • Plotting Tools: Transfer data to investigate the throughput, latency, and other performance parameters over time.
  1. Experiment with Advanced UWB Scenarios

When the fundamentals are configured then we test more complex situation of UWB:

  • Localization and Ranging: For accurate localization, UWB communication is frequently utilized. Replicate the ranging protocols by way of estimating the time of arrival (ToA) or time difference of arrival (TDoA) among nodes.
  • Multi-Hop Communication: In a mesh-like configuration, replicate UWB networks including numerous nodes in which data is sent over nodes.
  • Interference Modeling: Design UWB coexisting with other radio technologies, to analyse the interference and robustness.

We outlined the sequential approach with sample snippets for UWB Communication projects, configured, analysed and visualized through the NS3 environment. We’re ready to expand on it with in-depth insights as needed.

We guide you in PHY and MAC layers, so feel free to share your project details with us for additional support. If you’re looking for cutting-edge UWB Communication Projects using the NS3 tool, our experts are here to help. Just send your project information to phdprojects.org, and we’ll work together to ensure you achieve outstanding results.