To simulate Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) in MATLAB, you can complete by using numerous built-in toolboxes, like the Communications Toolbox and WLAN System Toolbox. These toolboxes deliver the functions to design and replicate different elements of WLAN that has transmission, reception, modulation, and performance evaluation according to the IEEE 802.11 standards.
Here’s a step-by-step procedures to replicating Wireless LANs (WLAN) projects using MATLAB:
Steps to Simulate Wireless LANs Projects in MATLAB
- Install Necessary Toolboxes
Before initiating the simulation, make sure that we have the following toolboxes installed:
- Communications Toolbox
- WLAN Toolbox
We can validate if these toolboxes are installed by typing:
ver
If any toolboxes are missing, we can install them from the MATLAB Add-Ons menu.
- Define WLAN Parameters
WLAN simulation relay on numerous parameters defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. Initially, specify the WLAN standard like 802.11a, 802.11n, or 802.11ac and the physical layer (PHY) key metrics.
cfg = wlanNonHTConfig; % For 802.11a or 802.11g (Non-HT, i.e., non-High Throughput)
cfg.ChannelBandwidth = ‘CBW20’; % Channel bandwidth: 20 MHz
cfg.MCS = 5; % Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) index
cfg.NumTransmitAntennas = 1; % Number of transmit antennas
For 802.11ac:
cfg = wlanVHTConfig; % For 802.11ac (Very High Throughput)
cfg.ChannelBandwidth = ‘CBW80’; % 80 MHz channel bandwidth
cfg.MCS = 9; % MCS index (supports higher modulation rates)
cfg.NumTransmitAntennas = 4; % Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO)
- Create Transmit Data
Create random data which will be routed over the WLAN channel. This information will be modulated and transmit via the wireless channel.
txData = randi([0 1], 1000*cfg.PSDULength, 1, ‘int8’); % Generate random bits
- Modulate and Transmit Data
Utilizing the WLAN toolbox, we can create a waveform to signify the transmitted signal. This is completed by modulating the data based on the chosen WLAN standard.
txWaveform = wlanWaveformGenerator(txData, cfg); % Generate the WLAN waveform
- Model the WLAN Channel
Design a wireless fading channel to replicate real-world wireless LAN conditions. MATLAB delivers numerous channel models that contain additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), Rayleigh, and Rician fading channels.
% Create a TGn N-LOS channel model for 802.11n/ac
chan = wlanTGnChannel;
chan.DelayProfile = ‘Model-B’;
chan.LargeScaleFadingEffect = ‘None’; % No large scale fading
chan.ChannelBandwidth = ‘CBW20’;
chan.NumTransmitAntennas = cfg.NumTransmitAntennas;
chan.NumReceiveAntennas = 2;
% Pass the transmitted waveform through the channel
rxWaveform = chan(txWaveform);
- Add Noise to the Signal
After transmit the signal via the channel, incorporates noise to replicate a realistic wireless environment.
snr = 20; % Signal-to-noise ratio in dB
rxWaveform = awgn(rxWaveform, snr, ‘measured’); % Add AWGN noise
- Receiver Processing
Now, replicate the receiver side in which the received signal is demodulated and decoded. Utilize the WLAN toolbox functions to pull through the transmitted bits from the received waveform.
% WLAN demodulation and decoding
rxBits = wlanLLRScramblerDeinterleaverDemodulate(rxWaveform, cfg);
% Perform error checking
[~, ber] = biterr(txData, rxBits);
disp([‘Bit Error Rate (BER): ‘ num2str(ber)]);
- Evaluate Network Performance
The performance of the WLAN network can be evaluated by assessing numerous parameters like:
- Bit Error Rate (BER)
- Packet Error Rate (PER)
- Throughput
For throughput evaluation:
packetLength = cfg.PSDULength * 8; % Length of packet in bits
packetTime = length(txWaveform) / (20e6); % Time duration of packet transmission (assuming 20 MHz)
throughput = packetLength / packetTime; % Throughput in bits per second
disp([‘Throughput: ‘ num2str(throughput/1e6) ‘ Mbps’]);
- Simulate a WLAN Network
As well as replicating individual transmitter-receiver links, we can replicate a whole WLAN network with multiple nodes using a simple framework. Here’s an instance of replicating a WLAN network with two nodes:
numNodes = 2; % Number of nodes in the WLAN
for i = 1:numNodes
% Generate and transmit data for each node
txDataNode{i} = randi([0 1], 1000*cfg.PSDULength, 1, ‘int8’);
txWaveformNode{i} = wlanWaveformGenerator(txDataNode{i}, cfg);
% Pass through the channel and add noise
rxWaveformNode{i} = chan(txWaveformNode{i});
rxWaveformNode{i} = awgn(rxWaveformNode{i}, snr, ‘measured’);
end
% Process received data for all nodes
for i = 1:numNodes
rxBitsNode{i} = wlanLLRScramblerDeinterleaverDemodulate(rxWaveformNode{i}, cfg);
[~, berNode(i)] = biterr(txDataNode{i}, rxBitsNode{i});
disp([‘Node ‘, num2str(i), ‘ BER: ‘, num2str(berNode(i))]);
end
- Simulate Mobility (Optional)
For mobile WLAN simulations, we can incorporate a mobility model such as Random Waypoint or other mobility models to simulation. The position of the nodes will enthusiastically change, impacting the the wireless channel features.
% Random waypoint mobility model
mobilityModel = rand(numNodes, 2) * [areaX, areaY]; % Generate random locations
velocities = rand(numNodes, 1) * maxSpeed; % Assign random velocities
% Update positions over time
for t = 0:dt:simTime
mobilityModel = mobilityModel + velocities * dt; % Update positions
% Recalculate the channel based on the new positions
% (Implement your channel update logic here)
end
- Visualize Results
We can envision the outcomes of WLAN simulation by plotting the throughput, bit error rates, and the spatial organization of nodes.
% Plot BER for each node
figure;
bar(berNode);
xlabel(‘Node’);
ylabel(‘Bit Error Rate’);
title(‘BER for Each Node in the WLAN Network’);
Example Projects for WLAN Simulation:
- 802.11ac Performance Analysis: Replicate and relate the performance of 802.11ac networks in diverse channel conditions and configurations.
- WLAN with MIMO: Mimic a WLAN system using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas and evaluate the enhancement in throughput and reliability.
- WLAN Mesh Networks: Replicate a mesh network in which the multiple nodes interact in a cooperative manner, establishing a mesh topology.
- WLAN Mobility Simulation: Mimic a scenario with mobile users (nodes) and evaluate on how mobility impacts the performance of the network.
- Interference Analysis in WLAN: Replicate the impacts of interference from neighbouring WLAN networks or other wireless technologies.
In this simulation setup, we have been clearly understood the concepts and learn the essential procedures to simulate the Wireless Local Area Networks that has contain the installation procedures and making the network topology and then envisioned the outcomes through MATLAB analysis too. Further details will be provided later.
We take care of transmission, reception, modulation, and performance evaluation in line with IEEE 802.11 standards for your research needs. Our team provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to simulating Wireless LAN projects using MATLAB, ensuring you have all the resources you need for your projects.
