How to Implement LTE in ns2

To implement the LTE (Long-term Evolution) in Network Simulator 2 (ns2) which is very difficult due to ns2 is mainly configured for simulating elder network features like wired networks, ad hoc networks and basic wireless networks (802.11). ns2 does not provide support for LTE because it is a more advanced cellular technology used in earlier mobile networks.

Yet, we offer two options for you to simulate the LTE using ns2 in the following below:

  1. Use ns3: ns3, the successor of ns2, offers much better helps for LTE. It contains a complete LTE module that permits you to replicate different perspectives of LTE networks which have Evolved Packet Core (EPC), radio access network (RAN) and so on.
  2. Simulate LTE-like scenarios in ns2: If you must use ns2 and can’t switch to ns3, you can recreate several LTE-like environments with the help of custom set ups that imitate particular aspects of LTE. It won’t be an original LTE simulation however it can fairly precise the some actions like high data rates, low dormancy and mobility.

Option 1: Using ns3 for LTE Simulation

If you are open to using ns3, here’s a brief overview of how you can simulate LTE in ns3:

  1. Install ns3: Make certain to install the ns3 and configured properly.
  2. Example Script for LTE in ns3:

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/lte-module.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-helper.h”

#include “ns3/epc-helper.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-helper.h”

#include “ns3/config-store.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main(int argc, char *argv[])

{

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

Ptr<LteHelper> lteHelper = CreateObject<LteHelper>();

Ptr<PointToPointEpcHelper> epcHelper = CreateObject<PointToPointEpcHelper>();

lteHelper->SetEpcHelper(epcHelper);

Ptr<Node> pgw = epcHelper->GetPgwNode();

// Create a remote host

NodeContainer remoteHostContainer;

remoteHostContainer.Create(1);

Ptr<Node> remoteHost = remoteHostContainer.Get(0);

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(remoteHostContainer);

// Create the Internet

PointToPointHelper p2ph;

p2ph.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, DataRateValue(DataRate(“100Gb/s”)));

p2ph.SetDeviceAttribute(“Mtu”, UintegerValue(1500));

p2ph.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, TimeValue(Seconds(0.010)));

NetDeviceContainer internetDevices = p2ph.Install(pgw, remoteHost);

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4h;

ipv4h.SetBase(“1.0.0.0”, “255.0.0.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer internetIpIfaces = ipv4h.Assign(internetDevices);

Ipv4Address remoteHostAddr = internetIpIfaces.GetAddress(1);

// Create the LTE network

NodeContainer ueNodes;

NodeContainer enbNodes;

enbNodes.Create(1);

ueNodes.Create(2);

// Install mobility model

MobilityHelper mobility;

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

mobility.Install(enbNodes);

mobility.Install(ueNodes);

// Install LTE Devices to the nodes

NetDeviceContainer enbLteDevs = lteHelper->InstallEnbDevice(enbNodes);

NetDeviceContainer ueLteDevs = lteHelper->InstallUeDevice(ueNodes);

// Attach UE devices to the eNB

lteHelper->Attach(ueLteDevs, enbLteDevs.Get(0));

// Install the IP stack on the UEs

internet.Install(ueNodes);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer ueIpIface;

ueIpIface = epcHelper->AssignUeIpv4Address(NetDeviceContainer(ueLteDevs));

// Set the default gateway for the UEs

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

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> ueStaticRouting = Ipv4RoutingHelper::GetRouting<Ipv4StaticRouting>(ueNodes.Get(i)->GetObject<Ipv4>()->GetRoutingProtocol());

ueStaticRouting->SetDefaultRoute(epcHelper->GetUeDefaultGatewayAddress(), 1);

}

// Start Applications

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9);

ApplicationContainer serverApps = echoServer.Install(remoteHost);

serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(remoteHostAddr, 9);

echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(1));

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

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

ApplicationContainer clientApps = echoClient.Install(ueNodes.Get(0));

clientApps.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Run the simulation

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(10.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

It generates a basic LTE network with one eNodeB (base station) and two UEs (User Equipment) allied with a basic UDP application.

  1. Compile and Run the Script: Use the waf build system offered by ns3 to compile and execute the script:

./waf –run “lte-simple”

Option 2: Simulate LTE-like Scenarios in ns2

If you need to stick with ns2 and simulate LTE-like scenarios, follow the below guidelines:

  1. High Data Rates: Imitate LTE’s optimized data potential by setting up the wireless links with high data rates.
  2. Low Latency: Replicate the low-latency behavior of LTE by modifying delays in the links.
  3. Mobility Models: Indicate the movement of mobile devices by executing high mobility models for nodes.
  4. Custom Protocols: You may need to write custom Tcl scripts that configure the network parameters to rough LTE characteristics.

Example Tcl Script for LTE-like Simulation in ns2

# Create a simulator object

set ns [new Simulator]

# Define the topography object

set topo [new Topography]

$topo load_flatgrid 1000 1000

# Configure the wireless channel

$ns node-config -adhocRouting AODV \

-llType LL \

-macType Mac/802_11 \

-ifqType Queue/DropTail/PriQueue \

-ifqLen 50 \

-antType Antenna/OmniAntenna \

-propType Propagation/TwoRayGround \

-phyType Phy/WirelessPhy \

-channelType Channel/WirelessChannel \

-topoInstance $topo \

-agentTrace ON \

-routerTrace ON \

-macTrace ON

# Create nodes

set n0 [$ns node]

set n1 [$ns node]

# Configure link bandwidth and delay to simulate LTE-like environment

$ns duplex-link $n0 $n1 100Mb 10ms DropTail

# Set node mobility to simulate a dynamic environment

$ns at 5.0 “$n0 setdest 500.0 500.0 20.0”

$ns at 5.0 “$n1 setdest 600.0 600.0 20.0”

# Define traffic between the nodes

set tcp [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $n0 $tcp

set sink [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $n1 $sink

$ns connect $tcp $sink

set ftp [new Application/FTP]

$ftp attach-agent $tcp

$ftp start

# Schedule the end of the simulation

$ns at 20.0 “finish”

# Run the simulation

$ns run

Conclusion

Using ns3: If you require a realistic and comprehensive LTE simulation, swapping to ns3 is highly suggested because of its built-in LTE module.

Using ns2: If you must use ns2, you can simulate LTE-like environment by setting up high data rates, low latency, and mobility models. However, this will be a simplification and won’t cover the full involvedness of LTE networks.

In this procedure, we provided the two methods for you to implement the LTE using ns2 with snippet codes. Due to the ns2 won’t cover the entire functionalities and we may need to use ns3 because of its in-built modules. If you need any additional information about this module, we will offer them.

If you’re looking to implement LTE using the ns2 tool, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re here to assist you with the best topics and ideas. We also help scholars in comparison analysis.