How to Start Wireless Mesh Topology Projects Using OMNeT++

To start a Wireless Mesh Topology project in OMNeT++ that needs to create the network topology, set up the nodes, and replicate the wireless behavior. Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are categorized by a decentralized architecture in which nodes transmit information for others, to allow robust and scalable connectivity. We follow these steps to get started:

Steps to Start Wireless Mesh Topology Projects in OMNeT++

  1. Set Up OMNeT++
  1. Install OMNeT++: We can download the new version of OMNeT++ on the system.
  2. Install INET Framework:
    • INET framework offers components for wireless communication, routing, and mobility.
    • We should install INET and download it using INET GitHub page and then compile it in OMNeT++.
  1. Understand Wireless Mesh Topology

Followings are Wireless Mesh Networks’ (WMNs) aspects:

  • Mesh Nodes: Devices, which transmit traffic for other nodes.
  • Multi-Hop Communication: Nodes implicitly interact through the relays.
  • Dynamic Routing: Routing protocols determine the optimal routes dynamically.
  • Applications: This topology frequently utilised in IoT, rural internet access, disaster recovery.
  1. Define the Network Topology

Create a network topology to utilise NED (Network Description Language) in OMNeT++.

Example: Basic Wireless Mesh Topology

network MeshNetwork

{

submodules:

meshNode[10]: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=100,100;i=device/laptop”);

}

connections:

// No fixed connections; wireless communication handled dynamically.

}

  • INET framework offered WirelessHost module for wireless devices.
  • The meshNode[10] array makes 10 nodes within the network.
  1. Configure the Simulation

Configure the simulation metrics using omnetpp.ini file.

Example Configuration:

network = MeshNetwork

sim-time-limit = 200s

# Configure physical layer

*.radio.transmitter.power = 20mW

*.radio.transmitter.bandwidth = 2Mbps

*.radio.transmitter.frequency = 2.4GHz

# Configure mobility

*.mobility.x = uniform(0, 500)

*.mobility.y = uniform(0, 500)

# Routing protocol

*.meshNode[*].routingProtocol = “AODV”  # Use AODV for dynamic routing

  1. Add Wireless Properties
  • Radio Settings: Configure the frequency, power, and bandwidth for the wireless interaction.
  • Mobility: Replicate the node movement to utilise mobility components like LinearMobility, RandomWaypointMobility.
  • Propagation Model: Set the signal propagation model such as free space, two-ray ground.
  1. Implement Routing

WMNs depend on the dynamic routing protocols. INET framework offers numerous protocols:

  • AODV (Ad-hoc On-Demand Distance Vector): It is often utilised for mesh networks.
  • DSR (Dynamic Source Routing): Sustain route caches to use DSR protocol.
  • OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing): It is a proactive routing for low-latency interaction.

Example: Enabling AODV

Integrate the following to the omnetpp.ini configuration file:

*.meshNode[*].hasRoutingTable = true

*.meshNode[*].routingProtocol = “AODV”

  1. Add Application Traffic

Replicate traffic among the nodes:

  • Make application-layer traffic to utilise UdpBasicApp or TcpApp.
  • Describe the source and destination nodes for interaction.

Example Traffic Configuration:

*.meshNode[0].numApps = 1

*.meshNode[0].app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”

*.meshNode[0].app[0].destAddresses = “meshNode[9]”

*.meshNode[0].app[0].startTime = 10s

*.meshNode[0].app[0].stopTime = 100s

*.meshNode[0].app[0].messageLength = 1024B

  1. Simulate and Analyze
  1. Run the Simulation:
    • Envision the simulation using OMNeT++ IDE.
    • Monitor the routing behavior and wireless communication.
  2. Collect Metrics:
    • Observe the parameters such as throughput, delay, packet delivery ratio, and power utilization.
  3. Analyze Results:
    • Transfer information into external OMNeT++’s built-in tools like Python or MATLAB for post-processing.
  1. Extend the Project
  • Advanced Features:
    • Execute the mesh-specific improvements such as load balancing or fault tolerance.
    • Experiment network scalability as the volume of nodes maximizes.
  • Energy Efficiency:
    • Mimic power-efficient routing protocols for energy consumption.
  • Security:
    • Integrate the secure interaction protocols for defending information.
  1. Document and Debug
  • It provides structured outline contains network topology, metrics, and protocols.
  • Sort out issues in routing or connectivity to utilise record files and visualizations.

These steps will help you start the simulation of Wireless Mesh Topology in OMNeT++ environment and illustrates to customize it to certain research or project goals. If you expand it further, we will guide you through another manual.