How to Start Wireless Sensor Network Projects Using NS3

To start a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) project using NS3 that comprises of replicating a network sensor nodes, which interact with each other and frequently sending data to a central sink node. Wireless Sensor Networks are commonly utilized in applications like environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, and IoT-based systems. NS3 can support to replicate the diverse WSN protocols, topologies, and applications to focus on energy efficiency, data routing, and network scalability.

Following is a detailed approach to start WSN projects in NS3.

Steps to Start Wireless Sensor Network Projects in NS3

  1. Install NS3

Make sure that NS3 is installed on the system. The WiFi module that is generally utilized to replicate the WSN interaction is contained by default within NS3.

  1. Download and Install NS3:

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

cd ns-3

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

./waf build

  1. Verify Installation: Execute a WiFi instance confirming the installation.

./waf –run=wifi-simple-adhoc

  1. Understand WSN Components in NS3

A WSN normally contain:

  • Sensor Nodes: Low-power devices are furnished along with sensors. They are denoted like nodes including WiFi or custom wireless interfaces in NS3.
  • Sink Node: A node, from sensor nodes which gathers data. The sink frequently functions like a gateway to an external network.
  • Wireless Communication: For interaction, WSNs utilize protocols such as 802.15.4 (ZigBee) or 802.11 (WiFi).
  • Mobility Models: Sensor nodes are frequently inactive however some WSNs contain mobile nodes.
  • Routing and Data Aggregation Protocols: Multi-hop routing protocols are utilized in larger networks for data aggregation.
  1. Set Up a Basic WSN Topology

Initially, we configure a basic topology in which numerous sensor nodes interact with a single sink node. In this instance, for simplicity WiFi is utilized like the communication protocol.

Example: Simple WSN with WiFi Communication

Below mentioned instance configures a WSN in which multiple sensor nodes transmit the data to a central sink node.

#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 for sensor nodes and a sink

NodeContainer sensorNodes;

sensorNodes.Create(5); // Five sensor nodes

NodeContainer sinkNode;

sinkNode.Create(1); // One sink node

// Set up WiFi physical layer and channel

YansWifiChannelHelper channel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default();

YansWifiPhyHelper phy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default();

phy.SetChannel(channel.Create());

// Set up WiFi MAC and network

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard(WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211b);

WifiMacHelper mac;

Ssid ssid = Ssid(“wsn-network”);

// Configure the sensor node devices (ad-hoc mode)

mac.SetType(“ns3::AdhocWifiMac”);

NetDeviceContainer sensorDevices = wifi.Install(phy, mac, sensorNodes);

// Configure the sink node device

NetDeviceContainer sinkDevice = wifi.Install(phy, mac, sinkNode);

// Set up mobility for the nodes

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(10.0),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(10.0),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(3),

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

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

mobility.Install(sensorNodes);

mobility.Install(sinkNode);

// Install the Internet stack on all nodes

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(sensorNodes);

stack.Install(sinkNode);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

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

address.Assign(sensorDevices);

address.Assign(sinkDevice);

// Set up a UDP echo server on the sink node

uint16_t port = 9;

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(port);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(sinkNode.Get(0));

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Set up a UDP echo client on each sensor node

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(Ipv4Address(“10.1.1.1”), port);

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

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

echoClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(50));

for (uint32_t i = 0; i < sensorNodes.GetN(); ++i) {

ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(sensorNodes.Get(i));

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0 + i));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

}

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

  1. Experiment with Low-Power Protocols

WSNs frequently utilize the low-power protocols such as IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) instead of WiFi. Even though NS3 does not have 802.15.4 then we can make custom protocols or modify WiFi settings replicating the low-power behavior.

We replicate the low-power interaction:

  • Adjust Transmission Power: Minimize power replicating restricted interaction range.
  • Set Low Data Rates: Exhaust energy to utilize 802.11b or low data rates.

Example:

phy.Set(“TxPowerStart”, DoubleValue(5.0)); // Lower power for limited range

phy.Set(“TxPowerEnd”, DoubleValue(5.0));

  1. Apply Static or Limited Mobility Models

The majority WSN nodes are static however restricted mobility may use within some cases. For static nodes utilize the models such as ConstantPositionMobilityModel or RandomWalk2dMobilityModel for limited movement.

Example:

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

  1. Implement Energy Model for Power Consumption Analysis

NS3 environment contains an energy module, which can replicate the battery usage on sensor nodes. It is significant within WSNs in which energy efficiency is precedence.

  1. Add Energy Source: We can describe a simple energy source such as a BasicEnergySource, replicating battery capacity.
  2. Add Energy Models: Replicate energy consumption depends on the WiFi activity utilizing a WifiRadioEnergyModel.

Example:

BasicEnergySourceHelper energySourceHelper;

energySourceHelper.Set(“BasicEnergySourceInitialEnergyJ”, DoubleValue(10.0));

EnergySourceContainer sources = energySourceHelper.Install(sensorNodes);

WifiRadioEnergyModelHelper radioEnergyHelper;

radioEnergyHelper.Set(“TxCurrentA”, DoubleValue(0.017)); // Transmission power consumption

DeviceEnergyModelContainer deviceModels = radioEnergyHelper.Install(sensorDevices, sources);

  1. Set Up Data Collection and Traffic Patterns

WSNs frequently utilize the periodic or event-based data collection. Make data traffic patterns utilizing NS3 applications:

  • Periodic Data Collection: For regular sensor data reporting, utilizing OnOffApplication.
  • Event-Driven Traffic: According to the certain conditions, cause data transfer like a threshold within energy or packet arrival.

Example using OnOffApplication:

OnOffHelper onOff(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(sinkIp, port));

onOff.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Kbps”));

onOff.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(50));

ApplicationContainer app = onOff.Install(sensorNodes.Get(0));

app.Start(Seconds(1.0));

app.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

  1. Implement Multi-Hop Routing for Data Collection

Allow the multi-hop interaction to the sink for larger networks utilizing routing protocols such as AODV or OLSR.

Example:

AodvHelper aodv;

Ipv4ListRoutingHelper list;

list.Add(aodv, 10);

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.SetRoutingHelper(list);

stack.Install(sensorNodes);

stack.Install(sinkNode);

  1. Collect and Analyze Performance Metrics

For WSNs, accumulate the performance parameters utilizing NS3’s tracing and monitoring tools:

  • Energy Consumption: Monitor energy depletion to utilize the energy model.
  • Latency: Estimate the delay among data collection and arrival at the sink.
  • Packet Delivery Ratio: We can compute the ratio of packets well taken using the sink.
  • Throughput: Monitor data rates over the network.

Example with FlowMonitor:

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

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

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

  1. Visualize the Simulation
  • NetAnim: Envision the node communications, packet flow, and topology utilizing NetAnim tool in real time.
  • Trace Analysis: For in-depth network performance’s analysis, we can analyse the trace files.
  • Graphing Tools: Transfer data to graph the performance parameters such as energy consumption, packet delivery, and latency.

In this setup, we had efficiently conducted the sequential approach to start, analyse and visualize the simulation for Wireless Sensor Network in NS3 tool.  Additional specific details regarding this network project will be shared in upcoming manual.

Share all your project details with phdprojects.org, and we’ll help you achieve outstanding results. Our support is customized just for you. We’ll guide you in launching Wireless Sensor Network Projects using the NS3 tool, ensuring you have a unique and well-suited topic. We handle WSN protocols and topologies, making your experience smooth and hassle-free.