How to Simulate FANET Projects Using NS3

To simulate the Flying Ad-Hoc Networks (FANETs) within NS3 that needs configuring a network of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which communicate with each other in an ad-hoc manner. FANETs are a special kind of Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) in which the nodes (UAVs) are highly mobile and function in three-dimensional space. NS3 offers an effective foundation for replicating the FANETs by leveraging its mobility models, wireless protocols, and ad-hoc networking capabilities. Here we deliver sequential technique for FANET projects, simulating using NS3:

Steps to Simulate FANET Projects in NS3

Step 1: Install NS3

Initially, we downloading and installing NS3. If we haven’t installed NS3 then we follow the instructions below to set it up.

1. Clone the NS3 repository:

git clone https://gitlab.com/nsnam/ns-3-dev.git

cd ns-3-dev

1. Configure and build NS3:

./waf configure

./waf

Step 2: Key FANET Components

In FANETs, the following key modules must be replicated:

1. UAVs (Nodes): Each UAV is a node within the network, able of communicating with others in an ad-hoc fashion.
2. Mobility Model: UAVs require mobility models to replicate their movement in 3D space.
3. Ad-Hoc Wireless Communication: UAVs communicate using wireless protocols such as 802.11 (Wi-Fi), 802.15.4 (ZigBee), or DSR/AODV routing protocols for ad-hoc networking.

Step 3: Create UAV Nodes

1. Create UAV Nodes: We can use the NodeContainer to make UAV nodes which will signify the UAVs in the simulation.

NodeContainer uavNodes;

uavNodes.Create(5);  // Create 5 UAVs

1. Install a Wireless Ad-Hoc Protocol: For FANETs, we can use ad-hoc routing protocols such as AODV, DSDV, or OLSR. Let us consider we are using AODV.

AodvHelper aodv;

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.SetRoutingHelper(aodv); // Use AODV for routing

internet.Install(uavNodes);

1. Assign IP Addresses: After installing the Internet stack, we allocate an IP addresses to the wireless devices on each UAV.

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

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

Step 4: Set Up UAV Mobility Models

To replicate UAV movement, we want to setup a 3D mobility model which describes how the UAVs move via space. We can be used the ConstantPositionMobilityModel for stationary nodes or the WaypointMobilityModel for more complex flight patterns.

1. Set Up Mobility Model: We can use the MobilityHelper to allocate the mobility models to each UAV.

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::RandomBoxPositionAllocator”,

“X”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0|Max=500]”),

“Y”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0|Max=500]”),

“Z”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=10|Max=100]”));

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

mobility.Install(uavNodes);

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

Ptr<ConstantVelocityMobilityModel> mob = uavNodes.Get(i)->GetObject<ConstantVelocityMobilityModel>();

mob->SetVelocity(Vector(10.0, 0.0, 0.0));  // Set initial velocity for UAVs

}

1. Customize the Mobility Model: We can use the WaypointMobilityModel for more realistic UAV flight paths, in which each UAV obeys a series of waypoints.

Ptr<WaypointMobilityModel> waypointMobility = uavNodes.Get(0)->GetObject<WaypointMobilityModel>();

waypointMobility->AddWaypoint(Waypoint(Seconds(0.0), Vector(0.0, 0.0, 50.0)));

waypointMobility->AddWaypoint(Waypoint(Seconds(10.0), Vector(100.0, 100.0, 50.0)));

Step 5: Set Up Wireless Communication

UAVs communicate wirelessly utilising the Wi-Fi or other wireless standards in an ad-hoc mode.

1. Set Up Wi-Fi for Ad-Hoc Communication: We can use the WifiHelper to setup Wi-Fi in ad-hoc mode.

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard(WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211b);

YansWifiPhyHelper wifiPhy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default();

YansWifiChannelHelper wifiChannel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default();

wifiPhy.SetChannel(wifiChannel.Create());

WifiMacHelper wifiMac;

wifiMac.SetType(“ns3::AdhocWifiMac”);

NetDeviceContainer wifiDevices;

wifiDevices = wifi.Install(wifiPhy, wifiMac, uavNodes);

1. Install Network Layer: After configuring the wireless devices, we install the Internet stack and allocate an IP addresses.

internet.Install(uavNodes);

ipv4.Assign(wifiDevices);

Step 6: Set Up Traffic Applications

We can be mimicked communication among the UAVs using applications such as UDP, TCP, or ICMP (ping).

1. Install a Traffic Generator: We can use the UdpEchoServerHelper and UdpEchoClientHelper to replicate traffic amongst UAVs.

// Install a UDP echo server on UAV node 0

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(uavNodes.Get(0));

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(20.0));

// Install a UDP echo client on UAV node 1

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(uavNodes.Get(0)->GetObject<Ipv4>()->GetAddress(1, 0), 9);

echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(10));

echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));

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

ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(uavNodes.Get(1));

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(20.0));

Step 7: Enable Tracing and Run Simulation

1. Enable Packet Tracing: We use tracing to capture the traffic flows and mobility patterns in the course of the simulation.

AsciiTraceHelper ascii;

wifiPhy.EnableAsciiAll(ascii.CreateFileStream(“fanet-simulation.tr”));

1. Run the Simulation: To end, we run the simulation for a specified duration.

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(20.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

Step 8: Analyze the Simulation Results

When the simulation completes, we can be investigated the outcomes using trace files or visual tools such as NetAnim to envision the UAV network’s communication patterns.

1. NetAnim Visualization: We can generate an XML file for visualizing the simulation using NetAnim.

AnimationInterface anim(“fanet-simulation.xml”);

1. Wireshark or Pcap Traces: Allow pcap traces to examine the packet-level details with Wireshark.

wifiPhy.EnablePcapAll(“fanet-simulation”);

Step 9: Advanced Features for FANET

When we have the simple FANET simulation working then we can be prolonged it to contain more difficult aspects:

1. Dynamic Routing: Execute the routing protocols like OLSR, DSDV, or DSR to manage the dynamic topology changes in FANETs.

OlsrHelper olsr;

internet.SetRoutingHelper(olsr);  // Use OLSR routing protocol

1. 3D Mobility with Obstacles: Replicate more realistic UAV mobility, containing the 3D flight with obstacles, and model wind or weather effects.
2. Cooperative Communication: Execute the cooperative communication in which UAVs share data for tasks such as surveillance, data collection, or search and rescue.
3. Energy Models: Insert an energy models to track the UAVs’ battery life and enhance flight paths and communication patterns according to an energy consumption.

BasicEnergySourceHelper energySourceHelper;

energySourceHelper.Set(“BasicEnergySourceInitialEnergyJ”, DoubleValue(10000.0));  // 10,000 joules

EnergySourceContainer energySources = energySourceHelper.Install(uavNodes);

WifiRadioEnergyModelHelper radioEnergyHelper;

DeviceEnergyModelContainer deviceModels = radioEnergyHelper.Install(wifiDevices, energySources);

In this module, we had thoroughly executed the FANET projects that encompasses step-by-step simulation approach and advanced features are helps you to replicate and configure the FANET using NS3 simulation tool. We will also be presented further details depending on your requirements. For optimal simulation in FANET projects utilizing NS3, connect with phdprime.com. We are equipped with a comprehensive range of tools and resources to meet your requirements.