To simulate Location–Based Networks (LBN) within NS3 that has requires to contain making a network in which the nodes’ behaviour or communication is according to their geographical position. In a Location-Based Network, devices may adapt their communication metrics (e.g., routing, power, connectivity) depends on the distance or relative position of other devices. It can be utilised for applications such as GPS-based services, geolocation, geofencing, and location-based routing. We provide simulation procedure to replicate Location-Based Network projects using NS3:
Steps to Simulate Location-Based Networks (LBN) in NS3
Step 1: Install NS3
Make certain NS3 is installed on the computer.
- Install dependencies:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install g++ python3 python3-pip git cmake
- Clone and build NS3:
git clone https://gitlab.com/nsnam/ns-3-dev.git
cd ns-3-dev
./build.py
Step 2: Understand Location-Based Networking
In LBN, the location of a device (node) ascertains its communication behaviour. For instance, a node may only communicate with close devices, or its data transmission may modify rely on nearness to a particular region. Important applications of LBN contain:
- Location-based services: Routing traffic to servers depends on proximity.
- Geofencing: Activating particular actions once devices enter or leave a geographic area.
- Proximity-based routing: Selecting routes depends on the physical distance among the nodes.
Step 3: Set Up Mobility for Location-Based Nodes
In a location-based network, nodes are frequently move, and their location data is used for communication. We will be used NS3’s MobilityHelper to configure mobility models, which replicate node movement in space.
Example: Using the RandomWaypoint Mobility Model
We can use RandomWaypointMobilityModel to replicate random movement for nodes in a bounded area. Nodes are modify direction and speed randomly while moving in a given region.
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(10); // Create 10 nodes representing location-based devices
MobilityHelper mobility;
mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,
“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),
“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),
“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(5.0),
“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(5.0),
“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(5),
“LayoutType”, StringValue(“RowFirst”));
mobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::RandomWaypointMobilityModel”,
“Speed”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=2.0]”), // 2 m/s speed
“Pause”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=0.5]”)); // Pause for 0.5 seconds
mobility.Install(nodes);
Step 4: Simulate Location-Based Communication
Now that the nodes have mobility, we can be replicated communication among the nodes according to their proximity. A general scenario is geofencing, in which a node will only communicate with others in a particular distance.
- Track Node Position: NS3 offers functions to acquire the position of a node that can be utilised to control if two nodes are close sufficient to communicate.
- Set Distance Threshold: In this instance, a node will only transmit packets to another node if the distance among them is less than a specified threshold.
double GetNodeDistance(Ptr<Node> node1, Ptr<Node> node2) {
Ptr<MobilityModel> mobility1 = node1->GetObject<MobilityModel>();
Ptr<MobilityModel> mobility2 = node2->GetObject<MobilityModel>();
return mobility1->GetDistanceFrom(mobility2);
}
- Transmit Data Based on Location: We can be changed a UDP client/server or another application to transfer data only when nodes are close enough.
double thresholdDistance = 50.0; // Distance threshold (in meters)
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN(); ++i) {
for (uint32_t j = i + 1; j < nodes.GetN(); ++j) {
if (GetNodeDistance(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get(j)) < thresholdDistance) {
// Nodes are close enough, initiate communication
UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(nodes.Get(j)->GetObject<Ipv4>()->GetAddress(1, 0).GetLocal(), 9);
echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(10));
echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));
echoClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));
ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(i));
clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));
clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));
}
}
}
Step 5: Simulate Geofencing
In geofencing, nodes are activate particular events once they enter or leave a predefined area (a virtual fence). For instance, a node may transfer a message when it enters a particular region.
- Define a Region: We can describe a rectangular region in space to denote the geofenced area.
struct GeoFence {
double minX, maxX;
double minY, maxY;
};
GeoFence fence = {10.0, 50.0, 10.0, 50.0}; // Define geofence coordinates
- Check if a Node Is Inside the Geofence: We can use the node’s position to verify if it is inside the described region.
bool IsInsideGeofence(Ptr<Node> node, GeoFence fence) {
Ptr<MobilityModel> mobility = node->GetObject<MobilityModel>();
Vector pos = mobility->GetPosition();
return (pos.x >= fence.minX && pos.x <= fence.maxX &&
pos.y >= fence.minY && pos.y <= fence.maxY);
}
- Trigger Communication Based on Location: Transfer a message or activate an event once a node enters the geofenced area.
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN(); ++i) {
if (IsInsideGeofence(nodes.Get(i), fence)) {
// Node is inside the geofence, trigger communication
UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(nodes.Get(i)->GetObject<Ipv4>()->GetAddress(1, 0).GetLocal(), 9);
echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(5));
echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));
echoClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(512));
ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(i));
clientApp.Start(Seconds(3.0));
clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));
}
}
Step 6: Simulate Location-Based Routing
Location-based routing protocols such as Geographic Routing Protocols forward packets rely on the geographical position of nodes. We can replicate the location-based routing using custom protocols or built-in NS3 aspects.
- Custom Routing Protocol: Execute a geographic routing protocol, which chooses the next hop according to the distance among the nodes.
class LocationBasedRoutingProtocol : public Ipv4RoutingProtocol {
public:
LocationBasedRoutingProtocol() {}
virtual Ptr<Ipv4Route> RoutePacket(Ptr<Packet> packet, Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4) {
Ptr<Ipv4Route> bestRoute = SelectBestRouteBasedOnLocation(packet, ipv4);
return bestRoute;
}
Ptr<Ipv4Route> SelectBestRouteBasedOnLocation(Ptr<Packet> packet, Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4) {
// Logic to choose the best route based on node positions
return nullptr; // Return the selected route
}
};
- Assign the Routing Protocol to Nodes: We can use the custom protocol for routing in the simulation.
Ptr<LocationBasedRoutingProtocol> locRouting = CreateObject<LocationBasedRoutingProtocol>();
nodes.Get(2)->AggregateObject(locRouting); // Assign routing protocol to a node
Step 7: Run the Simulation
Here, we run the simulation to monitor how nodes are communicate depends on their location.
Simulator::Stop(Seconds(20.0));
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
Example Complete Location-Based Network Simulation Script
Below is a basic script for replicating a location-based network with geofencing:
int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
// Step 1: Create nodes
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(10);
// Step 2: Set up mobility for nodes
MobilityHelper mobility;
mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,
“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),
“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),
“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(5.0),
“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(5.0),
“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(5),
“LayoutType”, StringValue(“RowFirst”));
mobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::RandomWaypointMobilityModel”,
“Speed”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=2.0]”),
“Pause”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=0.5]”));
mobility.Install(nodes);
// Step 3: Define a geofence area
struct GeoFence {
double minX, maxX;
double minY, maxY;
};
GeoFence fence = {10.0, 50.0, 10.0, 50.0};
// Step 4: Check if nodes enter the geofence
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN(); ++i) {
if (IsInsideGeofence(nodes.Get(i), fence)) {
// Node is inside the geofence, send a message
UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(nodes.Get(i)->GetObject<Ipv4>()->GetAddress(1, 0).GetLocal(), 9);
echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(5));
echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));
echoClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(512));
ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(i));
clientApp.Start(Seconds(3.0));
clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));
}
}
// Step 5: Run the simulation
Simulator::Stop(Seconds(20.0));
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
return 0;
}
This code replicates the location-based communication and geofencing. We can be extended it to contain more furthered aspects such as location-based routing, dynamic geofences, or complex mobility patterns.
In this module, we had addressed about Location Based Network Projects that were replicated with the assist of above detailed stepwise approach within NS3 simulation platform. Further specific insights related to this projects will be delivered based on your needs.
We work on GPS-based services, geolocation, geofencing, and location-based routing for your projects so for further details we are ready with the needed tools and resources. We can help you simulate location-based network projects using the NS3 tool. Share your research details with us, and we will provide tailored solutions and assist you with performance evaluation.
