How to Begin Implementing a 6G Networks projects using ns3

To begin performing a 6G Network project using NS3 environment, we can replicate the technologies of next-generation wireless communication as 6G research is progressing but we will need to create the execution on known features such as ultra-low latency, massive MIMO, THz communications, AI-driven networking, and seamless integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

We will guide you on how to approach and implement the 6G project:

Steps to Begin Implementing a 6G Networks Projects in NS3

Understand 6G Network Features

Followings are core features of 6G that contains:

THz Communications: Very high-frequency interaction for ultra-high data rates.
AI-Driven Networks: It is intellectual resource allocation and routing.
Massive MIMO: High spectral effectiveness via beamforming.
Ultra-Low Latency: To aim sub-millisecond latencies.
Integrated Communication and Sensing (ICS): Integrate the data transmission and environmental sensing.
Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs): Satellites and UAVs are combined with terrestrial networks.

Define Project Objectives

Focus on the project’s goal of 6G Networks:

Replicate the 6G interaction scenarios such as THz or NTNs.
Experiment routing and resource allocation mechanisms.
Estimate the key performance indicators (KPIs) such as throughput, latency, and energy efficiency.
Execute and measure the enhancements of AI or machine learning models.

Install and Set Up NS3

We should set up NS3 on the system.
Learn about following modules:
- LENA LTE Module: It can be prolonged for 5G/6G aspects.
- MmWave Module: Helpful for millimeter-wave or THz simulations.
- Internet Stack Module: This module is used for IP-based communication.
- Mobility Module: Replicating node mobility.

Design the 6G Architecture

Key Components:

Base Stations (BS): It denotes terrestrial or NTN access points.
User Equipment (UE): End devices.
Mobility Models: Utilized for user and satellite movement.
Routing Protocols: Dynamic protocols are enhanced for high-speed interaction.

Implement the Simulation

Step A: Create Nodes

Make nodes for UEs, base stations, and NTNs such as satellites or drones.

NodeContainer baseStations, userEquipments, satellites;

baseStations.Create(3); // 3 terrestrial base stations

userEquipments.Create(10); // 10 user devices

satellites.Create(2); // 2 satellite nodes

Step B: Configure Wireless Communication

THz Communication (Using MmWave or Custom Module):

MmWaveHelper mmWaveHelper;

mmWaveHelper.SetStandard(MMWAVE_IEEE_80211AD); // THz/6G simulation

NetDeviceContainer bsDevices = mmWaveHelper.Install(baseStations);

NetDeviceContainer ueDevices = mmWaveHelper.Install(userEquipments);

NetDeviceContainer satelliteDevices = mmWaveHelper.Install(satellites);

Massive MIMO and Beamforming:
- Enhance the performance to leverage antenna models and beamforming mechanisms.

mmWaveHelper.SetAntenna(“MassiveMIMO”); // Example of Massive MIMO

Step C: Install Internet Stack

We can install the Internet stack and set up routing.

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(baseStations);

stack.Install(userEquipments);

stack.Install(satellites);

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer bsInterfaces = ipv4.Assign(bsDevices);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer ueInterfaces = ipv4.Assign(ueDevices);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer satelliteInterfaces = ipv4.Assign(satelliteDevices);

Step D: Configure Mobility Models

UE Mobility:

MobilityHelper ueMobility;

ueMobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::ConstantVelocityMobilityModel”);

ueMobility.Install(userEquipments);

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

Ptr<ConstantVelocityMobilityModel> mobility = userEquipments.Get(i)->GetObject<ConstantVelocityMobilityModel>();

mobility->SetVelocity(Vector(20.0, 0.0, 0.0)); // 20 m/s along X-axis

}

Satellite Mobility:

MobilityHelper satelliteMobility;

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

satelliteMobility.Install(satellites);

Step E: Add Traffic Applications

Install Traffic Source:
- Replicate the user traffic with OnOffApplication.

OnOffHelper onOff(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(bsInterfaces.GetAddress(0), 9));

onOff.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“1Gbps”));

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

ApplicationContainer sourceApps = onOff.Install(userEquipments.Get(0));

sourceApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

sourceApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

Install Traffic Sink:
- For receiving traffic, we need to leverage PacketSink.

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

ApplicationContainer sinkApps = sink.Install(baseStations.Get(0));

sinkApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

sinkApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

Configure Simulation Parameters

Configure the simulation time and then execute the simulation to follow these coding.

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(15.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

Evaluate Performance

Metrics to Analyze:
- Throughput: Estimate the rate of data that are attained by UEs.
- Latency: Measure end-to-end delays.
- Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR): Assess the percentage of packets which are effectively delivered.
- Energy Efficiency: Replicate battery utilization as applicable.
Export Results:
- Examine the performance parameters to exploit logging or scripts.
Visualization:
- Make use of NetAnim or transfer records using Python or MATLAB tools for advanced analysis.

Advanced Features

AI-Driven Optimization:
- Enhance the resource allocation to leverage reinforcement learning.
Integration with NTN:
- Replicate seamless handover among the terrestrial and satellite networks.
Energy-Efficient Networking:
- Design energy utilization to utilise green networking principles.
Interference Management:
- Mimic interference and experiment the mitigation mechanisms.

Sample Complete Code Framework

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

#include “ns3/mmwave-helper.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main() {

// Create Nodes

NodeContainer baseStations, userEquipments, satellites;

baseStations.Create(3);

userEquipments.Create(10);

satellites.Create(2);

// Configure MmWave Communication