How to Begin Implement an Industrial Internet of Things in NS3

To begin executing an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) network using ns3, we can create and replicate a system in which industrial devices are interact for improving the manufacturing, automation, and monitoring. IIoT needs certain deliberations such as real-time data, reliability, low latency, and scalability. Below is a structured method to get started:

Steps to Begin Implement an Industrial Internet of Things in NS3

1. Set Up ns3 Environment

1. Install ns3:
   • We can download and install ns3 on the system.
   • Confirm the installation by executing the sample simulation script as ./waf –run hello-simulator.
2. Install Required Modules:
   • Make sure that we have contained required modules for IoT, wireless, and networking within ns3 build like wifi, lte, internet, applications.

2. Define IIoT Simulation Objectives

Explore the IIoT simulation goals:

• Communication: Experiment wireless or wired interaction through Wi-Fi, LTE, 6LoWPAN.
• Real-Time Data: Mimic actual data collection and processing.
• Topology: Design the IIoT network’s structure like star, mesh, or hybrid topologies.
• Performance Metrics: Measure the network performance parameters such as latency, packet loss, and energy efficiency.

3. Understand IIoT Requirements

IIoT networks contain unique requirements:

• Low Latency: It is essential for real-time observing and control.
• High Reliability: Intended for industrial-grade operations.
• Scalability: It supports a vast amount of devices.
• Interoperability: Apply numerous protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, and so on.

4. Choose Communication Technologies

Decide on communication technologies according to the use case:

• Wi-Fi: Designed for high-speed wireless interaction.
• 6LoWPAN: Used for low-power IoT devices.
• LTE/5G: Aimed at wide-area IIoT networks.
• Point-to-Point: Intended for wired industrial networks.

5. Set Up the IIoT Topology

1. Create Nodes:
   • Denote the devices within the IIoT network leveraging NodeContainer.
   • Example:

NodeContainer sensors, actuators, gateway;

sensors.Create(10);

actuators.Create(5);

gateway.Create(1);

1. Connect Devices:
   • Wireless Communication:

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard(WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211n);

YansWifiPhyHelper phy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default();

YansWifiChannelHelper channel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default();

phy.SetChannel(channel.Create());

WifiMacHelper mac;

mac.SetType(“ns3::AdhocWifiMac”);

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

1. • Wired Communication:

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Mbps”));

p2p.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));

NetDeviceContainer p2pDevices = p2p.Install(sensors.Get(0), gateway.Get(0));

1. Assign IP Addresses:

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(sensors);

internet.Install(actuators);

internet.Install(gateway);

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = ipv4.Assign(devices);

6. Install Applications

Replicate IIoT traffic with applications:

• Data Collection:
  • Mimic sensors to transmit the data toward the gateway with the support of OnOffApplication or make custom applications.

OnOffHelper onoff(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, Address(InetSocketAddress(gatewayAddress, 9)));

onoff.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“500Kbps”));

onoff.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));

ApplicationContainer apps = onoff.Install(sensors.Get(0));

apps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

apps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

• Actuation:
  • Replicate the actuators inheriting commands from the gateway.
• Custom Applications:
  • For MQTT or CoAP-like protocols, improve a custom application.

7. Introduce Mobility (Optional)

If IIoT devices are moveable like robots in a factory then we need to utilize mobility patterns:

MobilityHelper mobility;

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

mobility.Install(sensors);

Ptr<ConstantPositionMobilityModel> mob = sensors.Get(0)->GetObject<ConstantPositionMobilityModel>();

mob->SetPosition(Vector(10.0, 20.0, 0.0));

8. Simulate Data Processing

1. Edge Processing:
   • Replicate the edge gateways processing data before transmitting it to the cloud.
2. Cloud Communication:
   • Prolong the simulation with cloud-based processing to utilize LTE or point-to-point connections.

9. Run and Analyze Simulation

1. Run the Simulation:
   • Compile and execute the simulation script as ./waf –run “scratch/my-iiot-network”.
2. Log Events:
   • Record packet transmission and reception events with NS_LOG.
3. Analyze Metrics:
   • Estimate the performance indicators such as latency, throughput, packet loss, and energy efficiency.

10. Visualize the Network

• NetAnim: It is designed for real-time visualization of IIoT node communications.
  • Set up NetAnim: sudo apt install qt5-default.
  • Generate XML traces and envision with:

AnimationInterface anim(“iiot-network.xml”);

• Custom Plots:
  • Parse and envision the performance parameters for custom plots utilising Python or MATLAB tools.

11. Optimize and Extend

1. Optimize Performance:
   • Give precedence to critical IIoT traffic leveraging Quality of Service (QoS).
   • Routing protocols are enhanced for low latency and high reliability.
2. Security:
   • Replicate the secure interaction to utilize encryption libraries such as TLS.
3. Advanced Features:
   • Add machine learning which is used for predictive maintenance.
   • Incorporate fault-tolerant approaches for managing the device failures.

Example Use Cases

• Smart Factories: Replicate the automated machinery interaction in smart factory.
• Energy Monitoring: IIoT supports to observe the energy consumption within industrial plants.
• Logistics: IIoT helps for pursuing goods within real-time.

We had provided insights into Industrial Internet of Things, which were executed and implemented using a basic procedure in NS3. Also, we can explore further regarding this topic in upcoming guide.