To simulate 5G Network Projects utilizing NS2 that can be challenging since NS2 was originally created for 2G, 3G, and 4G networks and does not natively support 5G aspects such as mmWave, massive MIMO, or network slicing. But, we can replicate particular features of 5G networks by prolonging NS2 with changes or by executing models to mimic the key aspects of 5G networks. We promise to provide excellent simulation and research topics tailored to your areas of interest.
Here’s how we can simulate a few core aspects of 5G using NS2:
Key Concepts to Simulate in a 5G Network
- High Bandwidth and Low Latency: In 5G, high data rates and ultra-low latency are critical. In NS2, we can replicate high-bandwidth wireless links and change the metrics such as transmission delay to simulate low-latency communication.
- Dense Networks: 5G networks will have dense small cell deployments. In NS2, we can be mimicked several base stations and mobile nodes to denote the dense cellular environments.
- Mobility Management: 5G supports high mobility (e.g., vehicular communications). We can be executed numerous mobility models and replicate handovers in NS2.
- Massive MIMO and Beamforming: Even though NS2 does not have native support for MIMO, we can prolong the NS2 architecture or utilize proxy methods to denote MIMO-like behavior.
- Edge Computing: This aspect can be mimicked by inserting edge nodes with high processing power near user devices.
- Network Slicing: The simulator NS2 does not natively support network slicing, however we can be simulated slices using distinct traffic classes with changing QoS parameters.
Steps to Simulate a 5G Network Using NS2
- Install NS2: If we haven’t installed NS2 then we can install it using the below command (on Ubuntu/Linux):
sudo apt-get install ns2
- Extend NS2 for 5G Capabilities: Even though NS2 does not directly support 5G aspect, we can emulate a few features by modifying metrics like bandwidth, delay, mobility, and node density. Also we may want to prolong NS2’s functionality to model new 5G-specific behaviours (e.g., massive MIMO, beamforming) using custom C++ code if required.
- Create a 5G Network Scenario Using a Tcl Script: The following is an instance Tcl script, which emulates a dense 5G network with high bandwidth, low latency, and mobility among the nodes. We will be replicated a small cell network with multiple mobile devices communicating with a base station.
Example Tcl Script for Simulating a Basic 5G Network
# Create a new NS2 simulator object
set ns [new Simulator]
# Open trace and NAM files for output
set tracefile [open 5g_out.tr w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
set namfile [open 5g_out.nam w]
$ns namtrace-all-wireless $namfile 500 500
# Define the wireless channel and propagation model for 5G
set val(chan) Channel/WirelessChannel ;# Channel type
set val(prop) Propagation/TwoRayGround ;# Propagation model (modify if necessary)
set val(netif) Phy/WirelessPhy ;# Network interface type (use wireless)
set val(mac) Mac/802_11 ;# 5G can be emulated using modified 802.11 settings
set val(ifq) Queue/DropTail/PriQueue ;# Interface Queue
set val(ll) LL ;# Link Layer
set val(ant) Antenna/OmniAntenna ;# Omnidirectional antenna
set val(ifqlen) 50 ;# Interface Queue length
set val(nn) 6 ;# Number of mobile nodes
set val(rp) AODV ;# Routing protocol (AODV for mobility)
set val(x) 1000 ;# X dimension of the simulation area (coverage)
set val(y) 1000 ;# Y dimension of the simulation area (coverage)
# Define the network topology (grid for small cells)
set topo [new Topography]
$topo load_flatgrid $val(x) $val(y)
# Configure the simulation with 5G-specific parameters
$ns node-config -adhocRouting $val(rp) \
-llType $val(ll) \
-macType $val(mac) \
-ifqType $val(ifq) \
-ifqLen $val(ifqlen) \
-antType $val(ant) \
-propType $val(prop) \
-phyType $val(netif) \
-channelType $val(chan) \
-topoInstance $topo \
-agentTrace ON \
-routerTrace ON \
-macTrace ON
# Create mobile nodes representing 5G user equipment (UE)
for {set i 0} {$i < $val(nn)} {incr i} {
set node_($i) [$ns node]
$node_($i) random-motion 0 ;# Disable random motion initially
}
# Set base station (eNodeB or gNodeB) positions (centralized)
set bs [$ns node]
$bs set X_ 500.0
$bs set Y_ 500.0
$bs set Z_ 0.0
# Set initial positions for mobile users (UEs)
$node_(0) set X_ 100.0
$node_(0) set Y_ 100.0
$node_(1) set X_ 200.0
$node_(1) set Y_ 300.0
$node_(2) set X_ 300.0
$node_(2) set Y_ 400.0
$node_(3) set X_ 400.0
$node_(3) set Y_ 200.0
$node_(4) set X_ 700.0
$node_(4) set Y_ 700.0
$node_(5) set X_ 800.0
$node_(5) set Y_ 900.0
# Define traffic flow for 5G network: UDP over CBR (Constant Bit Rate)
set udp [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $node_(0) $udp
set null [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $node_(5) $null
$ns connect $udp $null
# Define traffic source
set cbr [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr set packetSize_ 1024 ;# Larger packet size for 5G data rates
$cbr set interval_ 0.01 ;# High rate of packet transmission (emulating high throughput)
$cbr attach-agent $udp
# Schedule traffic start and stop times
$ns at 0.5 “$cbr start”
$ns at 10.0 “$cbr stop”
# Define mobility: Node 0 moves across the coverage area
$ns at 1.0 “$node_(0) setdest 900.0 900.0 10.0” ;# Simulate mobility of node 0 (high-speed movement)
# Simulation ends at 15.0 seconds
$ns at 15.0 “finish”
# Define finish procedure to close trace and NAM files
proc finish {} {
global ns tracefile namfile
$ns flush-trace
close $tracefile
close $namfile
exec nam 5g_out.nam &
exit 0
}
# Run the simulation
$ns run
Explanation of the Tcl Script:
- Simulator Object:
- The set ns [new Simulator] command makes the NS2 simulation object.
- Wireless Channel and Propagation Model:
- A WirelessChannel is described with a TwoRayGround propagation model. We can test with distinct propagation models to reflect distinct 5G scenarios (urban, rural, etc.).
- Base Station (gNodeB) and Mobile Nodes (UE):
- One base station (gNodeB) is located in the center of the simulation area (1000×1000 grid), and six user devices (UEs) are located around it.
- Traffic Model:
- A UDP agent is connected to node_(0), and a Null agent (sink) is attached to node_(5). The CBR (Constant Bit Rate) application makes traffic with a large packet size (1024 bytes) and high transmission rate (10ms intervals) to replicate 5G’s high throughput.
- Mobility:
- Node 0 is set to move through the network from (100, 100) to (900, 900) at a speed of 10 units for each second, replicating high-speed movement (typical in 5G).
- End the Simulation:
- The simulation ends after 15 seconds, and the finish method closes the trace and NAM files, then opens the Network Animator (NAM) to envision the simulation.
- Run the Simulation:
We can save the script as 5g_simulation.tcl and run it using NS2:
ns 5g_simulation.tcl
After the simulation then we can visualize it using NAM:
nam 5g_out.nam
- Analyzing the Results:
- Trace File Analysis: The trace file (5g_out.tr) logs packet-level events like transmissions, receptions, and packet drops. We can be investigated this file using AWK scripts or other analysis tools to collect significant performance parameters like:
- Throughput
- Latency
- Packet loss
- Handover delays (if mobility and handover are modeled)
- Example AWK script to calculate throughput:
BEGIN {
total_packets = 0;
start_time = 0;
end_time = 0;
}
{
if ($1 == “r” && $4 == “AGT”) {
total_packets++;
if (start_time == 0) {
start_time = $2;
}
end_time = $2;
}
}
END {
duration = end_time – start_time;
throughput = (total_packets * 1024 * 8) / (duration * 1000); # kbps
printf(“Throughput: %.2f kbps\n”, throughput);
}
Extending the Simulation:
- Massive MIMO: Replicate massive MIMO by changing transmission power, bandwidth, and inserting more UEs with higher data rates.
- mmWave: We can utilize shorter transmission distances and alter propagation models to mimic mmWave communication.
- Network Slicing: Launch distinct traffic classes to mimic network slicing by allocating distinct priority queues or routing protocols for each traffic type.
- Edge Computing: Mimic edge computing by inserting powerful nodes (servers) near UEs to process tasks with low latency.
- Performance Metrics: Estimate additional 5G-specific parameters like handover latency, energy efficiency, and QoS.
In this module, you can obtain the knowledge regarding how to install NS2, how to simulate the 5G Network projects then how to mimic the key aspects of 5G networks using the virtual environment NS2. We also provide additional information about this 5G Network project in other simulation scenarios.
