How to Begin Implement a ZigBee Protocol in NS3

To start implementing ZigBee protocol using NS3 which is a low-power and low-data-rate protocol that typically utilised within wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. ZigBee functions for the physical and MAC layers through the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and integrates their individual routing and application layers. To execute a ZigBee protocol encompasses for configuring the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, describing the network topology, and setting up ZigBee-specific routing and application aspects in NS3 environment.

Following is a detailed mechanism to get started:

Steps to Begin Implement a ZigBee Protocol in NS3

1. Understand ZigBee Protocol

• Key Features:
  • According to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard.
  • It offers star, tree, and mesh topologies.
  • Low power consumption for prolonged battery life.
• Components:
  • Coordinator: It handles the network and allocates addresses.
  • Routers: In mesh/tree topologies, transmit the messages.
  • End Devices: It supports to interact with a single parent like coordinator or router.

2. Set Up ns3 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 ZigBee Network Topology

• Components:
  • End devices.
  • Routers (optional for mesh/tree topologies).
  • Coordinator (1 node).
• Topology:
  • Star Topology: At the center, coordinator including all devices that are associating to it.
  • Tree Topology: Coordinator at the root, routers performs like intermediaries.
  • Mesh Topology: Numerous routes among the devices.

4. Set Up IEEE 802.15.4 in ns3
5. Include Necessary Headers

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/ipv4-l3-protocol.h”

#include “ns3/ipv4-routing-protocol.h”

#include “ns3/mesh-helper.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

#include “ns3/zigbee-helper.h”  // Use this for ZigBee-specific configuration

1. Define Nodes

ns3::NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(10);  // Create 10 nodes (1 coordinator, 9 routers/end devices)

802. Set Up the 802.15.4 MAC and PHY Layers

#include “ns3/lr-wpan-module.h”

ns3::LrWpanHelper lrWpanHelper;

ns3::NetDeviceContainer devices = lrWpanHelper.Install(nodes);

// Assign short addresses to the devices

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

Ptr<NetDevice> device = devices.Get(i);

device->SetAttribute(“Address”, ns3::Mac16AddressValue(ns3::Mac16Address::Allocate()));

}

1. Set Up Network Layer

• If available, we can utilize ZigBee-specific routing, or describe the custom routing.

5. Configure ZigBee Topology
6. Assign Coordinator

Ptr<Node> coordinator = nodes.Get(0);  // First node as coordinator

1. Set Up Mobility

ns3::MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, ns3::DoubleValue(0.0),

“MinY”, ns3::DoubleValue(0.0),

“DeltaX”, ns3::DoubleValue(20.0),

“DeltaY”, ns3::DoubleValue(20.0),

“GridWidth”, ns3::UintegerValue(5),

“LayoutType”, ns3::StringValue(“RowFirst”));

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

mobility.Install(nodes);

6. Set Up Traffic
7. Create Application Layer

• Make use of OnOff application layer to mimic traffic for simplicity.

ns3::OnOffHelper onOffHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”,                           ns3::Address(ns3::InetSocketAddress(ns3::Ipv4Address(“10.1.1.1”), 9)));

onOffHelper.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, ns3::StringValue(“50kbps”));

onOffHelper.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, ns3::UintegerValue(100));

ns3::ApplicationContainer apps = onOffHelper.Install(nodes.Get(1));  // Install on node 1

apps.Start(ns3::Seconds(1.0));

apps.Stop(ns3::Seconds(10.0));

1. Create Sink to Receive Traffic

ns3::PacketSinkHelper sinkHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”,                                  ns3::Address(ns3::InetSocketAddress(ns3::Ipv4Address::GetAny(), 9)));

ns3::ApplicationContainer sinkApps = sinkHelper.Install(coordinator);  // Sink at coordinator

sinkApps.Start(ns3::Seconds(0.0));

sinkApps.Stop(ns3::Seconds(10.0));

7. Enable Tracing and Run Simulation
8. Enable Tracing

lrWpanHelper.EnablePcap(“zigbee”, devices, true);

1. Run Simulation

ns3::Simulator::Run();

ns3::Simulator::Destroy();

8. Analyze Results

Metrics:

• Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR):
  • Estimate the rate of packets that are effectively distributed to the total transmitted packets.
• Latency:
  • Compute the average duration within sending packets.
• Energy Consumption:
  • Measure the energy consumption for interaction.

Visualization:

• We will need to leverage NetAnim tools for visualization:

./waf –run “zigbee-simulation –vis”

9. Extend ZigBee Implementation
10. Custom Routing Protocol

• Execute the ZigBee routing logic by making a custom Ipv4RoutingProtocol.

1. Energy Efficiency

• Integrate energy patterns for replicating the impact of energy utilization:

ns3::EnergySourceContainer sources = energy.Install(nodes);

1. Advanced Features

• Replicate dynamic topology changes.
• Establish the mobility patterns and node failures.

We employed NS3 tool to accomplish in-depth implementation process for ZigBee protocol, which was executed and analysed and can be delivered further specifies on this subject if needed.