To simulate an Industrial IoT (IIoT) projects using NS2 (Network Simulator 2) has encompasses setting up a network of IoT devices, gateways, and servers to model industrial communication scenarios. The network simulator NS2 does not natively support IoT-specific protocols, however with similar changes and customizations, we can replicate IIoT projects. Here’s a stepwise guide to help us simulate Industrial IoT (IIoT) in NS2:
Steps to Simulate Industrial IoT projects in NS2
- Install NS2
- We can download and install NS2 from the official NS2 website. Make certain that we have the essential dependencies, containing Tcl/Tk, OTcl, and NAM.
- Understand NS2 and Its Architecture
- NS2 primarily replicates network protocols at numerous layers, thus we will require to set up wireless sensor nodes, gateways, and centralized servers to mimic IIoT environments.
- IIoT simulations include configuring communication among the sensors (IoT devices) and gateways (which forward data to the cloud or central servers).
- Set up IIoT Network Topology
- An IIoT system contain sensor nodes, actuators, gateways, and central servers. Sensors gather data, actuators respond to commands, gateways aggregate data, and central servers manage processing.
Example OTcl Code for IIoT Node Configuration:
set ns [new Simulator]
set topo [new Topography]
$topo load_flatgrid 1000 1000
# Define sensor nodes
set node(0) [$ns node] ;# Sensor node 1
set node(1) [$ns node] ;# Sensor node 2
set gateway(0) [$ns node] ;# Gateway node
set server [new Agent/TCP] ;# Central server (TCP connection for data)
# Create communication links (Wireless)
$ns simplex-link $node(0) $gateway(0) 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns simplex-link $node(1) $gateway(0) 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns simplex-link $gateway(0) $server 100Mb 50ms DropTail
Here, we are configuring two sensor nodes are communicating with a gateway that forwards data to the central server.
- Implement Wireless Communication for IIoT Devices
- Since IoT devices in industrial environments normally communicate wirelessly, we will require to configure wireless channels for communication. We can utilize NS2’s MobileNode or tailor own wireless nodes.
Example Configuration for Wireless Nodes:
# Configure the wireless channel
set val(chan) Channel/WirelessChannel ;# Channel Type
set val(prop) Propagation/TwoRayGround ;# Radio Propagation Model
set val(netif) Phy/WirelessPhy ;# Network Interface Type
set val(mac) Mac/802_11 ;# MAC Layer
set val(ifq) Queue/DropTail/PriQueue ;# Interface Queue Type
# Create wireless sensor nodes with mobility
set ns [new Simulator]
set node(0) [$ns node]
$node(0) set X_ 50.0
$node(0) set Y_ 30.0
$node(0) set Z_ 0.0
- Define Traffic Patterns
- IIoT devices transmit data at regular intervals. We use Constant Bit Rate (CBR) or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to replicate data flow from sensors to the gateway or central server.
Example Traffic Setup for Sensors:
# Setup CBR traffic from Sensor Node 1 to Gateway
set udp [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $node(0) $udp
set null [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $gateway(0) $null
$ns connect $udp $null
set cbr [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr set packetSize_ 500
$cbr set rate_ 1Mb
$cbr attach-agent $udp
$ns at 1.0 “$cbr start”
This instance makes constant data flow from sensor node 1 to the gateway.
- Implement IoT Protocols
- MQTT, CoAP, or AMQP are generally utilized in IoT systems. Because NS2 does not natively support these protocols, we may want to write custom C++ code to replicate lightweight IoT communication protocols.
- Otherwise, we can use UDP or TCP to model basic message exchanges among the devices.
- Introduce Mobility Models (Optional)
- For mobile industrial devices, execute mobility models to replicate moving robots or other equipment. The simulator NS2 delivers numerous built-in mobility models, like Random Waypoint that we can apply to the IoT nodes.
Example of Mobility Configuration:
$ns at 0.0 “$node(0) setdest 100 150 10.0”
$ns at 10.0 “$node(1) setdest 150 200 15.0”
- Implement Energy Models for IoT Devices
- IIoT devices frequently have limited battery power. NS2 permits to replicate energy consumption using its EnergyModel module.
Example Energy Model Setup:
$node(0) energyModel EnergyModel
$node(0) add-energy 100
$node(0) energy 10 ;# Initial energy of 100 joules
- Run the Simulation
- Run the simulation script and we investigate the outcomes.
ns your_iot_script.tcl
- Visualization and Performance Analysis
- We can use NS2’s built-in visualization tool, Network Animator (NAM), to envision packet flow and node movement.
- Extract performance parameters such as throughput, packet loss, energy consumption, or delay using trace files. We can process these files with awk, Perl, or Python scripts.
Example Simulation Script Outline
# Simulation for an IIoT Network with Sensors, Gateway, and Central Server
set ns [new Simulator]
set topo [new Topography]
$topo load_flatgrid 1000 1000
# Define Nodes
set sensor1 [$ns node]
set sensor2 [$ns node]
set gateway [$ns node]
set server [new Agent/TCP]
# Communication Links
$ns simplex-link $sensor1 $gateway 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns simplex-link $sensor2 $gateway 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns simplex-link $gateway $server 100Mb 50ms DropTail
# Energy Models (Optional)
$sensor1 energyModel EnergyModel
$sensor1 add-energy 100
$sensor2 energyModel EnergyModel
$sensor2 add-energy 100
# CBR Traffic from Sensors to Gateway
set udp1 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $sensor1 $udp1
set udp2 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $sensor2 $udp2
set null [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $gateway $null
$ns connect $udp1 $null
$ns connect $udp2 $null
# Start Traffic
set cbr1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr1 set packetSize_ 500
$cbr1 set rate_ 1Mb
$cbr1 attach-agent $udp1
$ns at 1.0 “$cbr1 start”
set cbr2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr2 set packetSize_ 500
$cbr2 set rate_ 1Mb
$cbr2 attach-agent $udp2
$ns at 1.0 “$cbr2 start”
# Simulation End
$ns at 10.0 “finish”
Key Points:
- Topology: Set up IIoT nodes (sensors, gateways, and central servers) to match the industrial environment.
- Traffic: We can use CBR or other protocols to model real-time data transmission from IIoT devices.
- Energy: Apply energy models to replicate battery-powered IIoT devices.
- Mobility: Execute mobility models for moving industrial devices or mobile robots.
Thus, we provided a detailed step-by-step method for Industrial IoT projects that were simulated and executed in NS2 tool. We are able to deliver comprehensive details on this topic, if required. Get guidance from our team on IoT-specific protocols stay in touch with us to get best simulation and project done for you .
