How to Begin Implement a Location Based Networks in NS3

To begin executing a Location-Based Network (LBN) using ns3 has several structured steps to replicate a network in which the behavior of nodes, routing, or services is impacted with its geographical position. Such networks are broadly utilised within mobile applications, vehicular networks, and IoT networks.

The given below is the detailed procedure on how to implement the LBN using NS3:

Steps to Begin Implement a Location Based Networks in NS3

1. Understand Location-Based Networks

• Key Characteristics:
  • Nodes are focus on its geographical locations.
  • According to the position, interaction decisions such as routing, service availability.
• Use Cases:
  • Proximity-based data sharing.
  • Location-based services in mobile networks.
  • Geographical routing within vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs).
• Simulation Goals:
  • Measure routing protocols such as GPSR, Geo-routing.
  • Experiment the location-aware applications.
  • Replicate mobility and their influence over network performance.

2. Set Up ns-3 Environment

1. Install ns3:

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

cd ns-3-dev

./build.py

1. Verify the installation:

./ns3 run hello-simulator

3. Plan the Network Architecture

• Components:
  • Location-based routing protocols or applications.
  • Mobile and static nodes including position awareness.
  • A mobility pattern for dynamic movement.
• Key Metrics:
  • Coverage area.
  • Latency.
  • Packet delivery ratio.

4. Choose Relevant ns3 Modules

• Mobility Module: For dynamic position updates.
• Wi-Fi, LTE, or VANET Modules: It is frequently utilised for interaction.
• Geographical Routing Protocols: Execute custom location-based routing as required.

5. Write the Simulation Script
6. Include Necessary Headers

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/wifi-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

1. Define Nodes

ns3::NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(10); // 10 nodes in the network

1. Set Up Mobility Model

ns3::MobilityHelper mobility;

// Random waypoint mobility model

mobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::RandomWaypointMobilityModel”,

“Speed”, ns3::StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=1.0|Max=10.0]”),

“Pause”, ns3::StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=2.0]”),

“PositionAllocator”, ns3::StringValue(“ns3::RandomRectanglePositionAllocator”));

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::RandomRectanglePositionAllocator”,

“X”, ns3::StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0.0|Max=100.0]”),

“Y”, ns3::StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0.0|Max=100.0]”));

mobility.Install(nodes);

1. Set Up Communication

Wi-Fi for Location-Based Communication

ns3::WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard(ns3::WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211n);

ns3::WifiMacHelper mac;

ns3::WifiPhyHelper phy = ns3::WifiPhyHelper::Default();

phy.SetChannel(ns3::YansWifiChannelHelper::Default().Create());

mac.SetType(“ns3::AdhocWifiMac”);

ns3::NetDeviceContainer devices = wifi.Install(phy, mac, nodes);

1. Install Internet Stack

ns3::InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(nodes);

ns3::Ipv4AddressHelper address;

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

ns3::Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);

1. Add Location-Based Application

Custom Location-Aware Application

class LocationAwareApp : public ns3::Application {

private:

virtual void StartApplication() override {

Ptr<ns3::MobilityModel> mobility = GetNode()->GetObject<ns3::MobilityModel>();

ns3::Vector position = mobility->GetPosition();

std::cout << “Node at position: ” << position.x << “, ” << position.y << std::endl;

// Location-based logic (e.g., proximity detection)

if (position.x < 50 && position.y < 50) {

std::cout << “Node in target region” << std::endl;

}

}

};

ns3::ApplicationContainer appContainer;

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

Ptr<LocationAwareApp> app = CreateObject<LocationAwareApp>();

nodes.Get(i)->AddApplication(app);

app->SetStartTime(ns3::Seconds(1.0));

appContainer.Add(app);

}

1. Run the Simulation

ns3::Simulator::Run();

ns3::Simulator::Destroy();

6. Analyze and Visualize Results

Metrics:

• Estimate the position-based services’ performance like:
  • Rate of packet delivery.
  • Proximity detection accuracy.
  • Latency in interaction.

Tracing and Visualization:

• Allow .pcap and .tr files for detailed analysis:

ns3::AsciiTraceHelper ascii;

phy.EnableAsciiAll(ascii.CreateFileStream(“location-based.tr”));

phy.EnablePcapAll(“location-based”);

• Envision node movement and communications in NetAnim tool:

./waf –run “location-based-network –vis”

7. Iterate and Enhance

• Advanced Features:
  • Execute the Geo-Routing such as GPSR.
  • Integrate dynamic obstacles to experiment the position-based decisions.
  • Mimic larger networks including hundreds of nodes.
• Applications:
  • Experiment the location-based alerts such as geofencing.
  • For realistic simulations, add real-world GPS data.
• Protocols:
  • Refine or experiment the performance of protocols that are enhanced for position-based decision-making.

We had thoroughly understood the concepts and simple steps for Location Based Network projects, which were replicated and implemented using NS3 platform. We are furnished to present more advanced insights and detailed explanation according to your needs.