In 5G research, numerous protocols are employed and play a significant role.  Explore the latest concepts and discussions surrounding 5G NS3 on this platform. Our team of proficient professionals specializes in aiding cutting-edge 5G research initiatives for academics. Simply provide us with your project specifications for further guidance. The following are an extensive instruction of the protocols utilized in 5G research and their explanations in ns-3:

1. Physical Layer Protocols
2. OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)

• Operation: For adjusting the data signals across numerous sub-carriers, this protocol is employed.
• Application in ns-3:
• By means of the mmWave and NR module, ns-3 assists OFDM.
• Major parameters: FFT size, subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix length.

1. Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output)

• Operation: Through employing numerous antennas, improves data levels and spectral efficacy.
• Application in ns-3:
• With the help of mmWave modules, ns-3 is helpful for Massive MIMO.
• Major parameters: Beamforming approaches, number of antennas.

2. MAC Layer Protocols
3. Scheduling Algorithms

• Operation: The MAC layer protocol defines in what way sources such as spatial, time, and frequency are allotted to users.
• Kinds:
• Maximum Throughput
• Round Robin
• Proportional Fair
• Application in ns-3:
• In the NR and mmWave module, it is adaptable.
• Instance: MmWaveMacScheduler class.

1. HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request)

• Operation: Through integrating FEC (Forward Error Correction), and ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request), it offers error correction.
• Application in ns-3:
• Within the MAC layer in the mmWave module, HARQ procedures are managed.
• Instance: MmWaveHarqProcess class.

3. Network Layer Protocols
4. IP (Internet Protocol)

• Operation: For routing packets over network limits, IP is appropriate.
• Application in ns-3:
• Specifically, for IPv6 and IPv4, ns-3 offers widespread assistance.
• Instance: Ipv4L3Protocol class.

1. GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol)

• Operation: For transporting user data within the EPC (Evolved Packet Core), GTP is employed.
• Application in ns-3:
• By means of the PointToPointEpcHelper and relevant classes in the LTE module, it is simulated.
• For user plane data, it offers GTP-U tunnels.

4. Transport Layer Protocols
5. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

• Operation: Generally, it assures consistent, organized delivery of a data stream.
• Application in ns-3:
• In ns-3, different TCP types such as TCP Cubic, TCP NewReno are assistive.
• Instance: TcpNewReno class.

1. UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

• Operation: For transmitting packets, UDP offers a connectionless, best-effort service.
• Application in ns-3:
• In ns-3, UDP is assisted naturally.
• Instance: UdpSocketImpl class.

5. Application Layer Protocols
6. VoIP (Voice over IP)

• Operation: It has the capability to send voice data across IP networks.
• Application in ns-3:
• Using application frameworks like VoipServer and VoipClient, VoIP is simulated.

1. Video Streaming

• Operation: Typically, video streaming sends video data across IP networks.
• Application in ns-3:
• For producing traffic trends, simulated with the help of application frameworks like OnOffApplication.

6. Control Plane Protocols
7. RRC (Radio Resource Control)

• Operation: Specifically, it handles the reconfiguration, connection set up, and release among the UE and the network.
• Application in ns-3:
• In the NR module, simulated by the NrRrcProtocol class.
• Normally, RRC messaging and state transitions are managed.

1. NAS (Non-Access Stratum)

• Operation: Among the UE and the core network, handles mobility and session management.
• Application in ns-3:
• With the help of the EpcMme and relevant class in the LTE/EPC module, NAS is simulated.
• For mobility management and session management, it offers functions.

Instance Simulation Setup in ns-3

The following is an instance configuration for a 5G network simulation through the utilization of the NR module in ns-3:

C++ Simulation Script:

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

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

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/nr-helper.h”

#include “ns3/epc-helper.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

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

{

    // Set up the simulation environment

    double simTime = 10.0;

    uint16_t numUeNodes = 2;

    uint16_t numEnbNodes = 1;

    // Create nodes

    NodeContainer ueNodes;    ueNodes.Create(numUeNodes);

    NodeContainer enbNodes;    enbNodes.Create(numEnbNodes);

    // Set up mobility

    MobilityHelper mobility;

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

    mobility.Install(ueNodes);

    mobility.Install(enbNodes);

    // Set up the NR helper

    Ptr<NrHelper> nrHelper = CreateObject<NrHelper>();

    nrHelper->SetSchedulerType(“ns3::NrMacSchedulerTdma”);

    // Install NR devices on nodes

    NetDeviceContainer enbDevices = nrHelper->InstallEnbDevice(enbNodes);

    NetDeviceContainer ueDevices = nrHelper->InstallUeDevice(ueNodes);

    // Attach UEs to the closest eNB

    nrHelper->AttachToClosestEnb(ueDevices, enbDevices);

    // Set up the Internet stack

    InternetStackHelper internet;

    internet.Install(ueNodes);

    internet.Install(enbNodes);

    // Assign IP addresses

    Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

    ipv4.SetBase(“7.0.0.0”, “255.0.0.0”);

    Ipv4InterfaceContainer enbIpIfaces = ipv4.Assign(enbDevices);

    Ipv4InterfaceContainer ueIpIfaces = ipv4.Assign(ueDevices);

    // Set up applications

    uint16_t dlPort = 1234;

    OnOffHelper onOffHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(ueIpIfaces.GetAddress(0), dlPort));    onOffHelper.SetConstantRate(DataRate(“100Mbps”));

    ApplicationContainer clientApps = onOffHelper.Install(enbNodes.Get(0));    clientApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));    clientApps.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    PacketSinkHelper packetSinkHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address::GetAny(), dlPort));

    ApplicationContainer serverApps = packetSinkHelper.Install(ueNodes.Get(0));    serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));    serverApps.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    // Enable tracing

    nrHelper->EnableTraces();

    // Run the simulation    Simulator::Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    Simulator::Run();

    Simulator::Destroy();

    return 0;

}

Major Points

1. Physical Layer Protocols: For improving data levels and spectral efficacy, concentrate on OFDM and Massive MIMO.
2. MAC Layer Protocols: Generally, HARQ and scheduling methods are employed for effective resource management and error correction.
3. Network Layer Protocols: Focus on deploying GTP and IP for routing and tunnelling user data within the EPC.
4. Transport Layer Protocols: For consistent and best-effort delivery of data packets, utilize UDP and TCP.
5. Application Layer Protocols: Aim to simulate video streaming and VoIP to research their effectiveness across 5G networks.
6. Control Plane Protocols: For handling correlations and mobility, apply NAS and RRC.

How to simulate a 5G network on NS3?

The process of simulating 5G networks on NS-3 is examined as both difficult and intriguing. Specifically, we provide an extensive instruction that assist you to simulate a 5G network along with the NR (New Radio) and mmWave modules utilizing ns-3:

Step 1: Configure ns-3 Environment

1. Download and Install ns-3:

• To download and install ns-3, go to the ns-3 official website.
• The installation guidelines offered for your operation system have to be adhered.

2. Clone and Integrate mmWave and NR Modules:

• You should open a terminal and direct to your ns-3 installation directory.
• It is advisable to clone the NR and mmWave modules from their corresponding warehouses.

cd ns-3-allinone

git clone https://github.com/signetlabdei/mmwave.git

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

3. Build ns-3 with the New Modules:

./waf configure –enable-examples –enable-tests

./waf build

Step 2: Develop a Simulation Script

Generally, a novel C++ script has to be developed to specify and execute your 5G network simulation. To simulate a basic 5G network, the following is a simple instance script.

Instance C++ Script: simple-5g-simulation.cc

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

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

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

#include “ns3/mmwave-helper.h”

#include “ns3/mmwave-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

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

{

    double simTime = 10.0;

    uint16_t numUeNodes = 2;

    uint16_t numGnbNodes = 1;

    // Create nodes for gNB and UEs

    NodeContainer ueNodes;    ueNodes.Create(numUeNodes);    NodeContainer gnbNodes;    gnbNodes.Create(numGnbNodes);

    // Set up mobility models

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

    mobility.Install(gnbNodes);

    mobility.Install(ueNodes);

    // Set up the mmWave helper

    Ptr<MmWaveHelper> mmwaveHelper = CreateObject<MmWaveHelper>();

    mmwaveHelper->SetSchedulerType(“ns3::MmWaveFlexTtiMaxWeightMacScheduler”);

    // Install mmWave devices on nodes

    NetDeviceContainer gnbDevices = mmwaveHelper->InstallEnbDevice(gnbNodes);

    NetDeviceContainer ueDevices = mmwaveHelper->InstallUeDevice(ueNodes);

    // Attach UEs to the closest gNB

    mmwaveHelper->AttachToClosestEnb(ueDevices, gnbDevices);

    // Install the Internet stack

    InternetStackHelper internet;

    internet.Install(ueNodes);

    internet.Install(gnbNodes);

    // Assign IP addresses

    Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

    ipv4.SetBase(“7.0.0.0”, “255.0.0.0”);

    Ipv4InterfaceContainer gnbIpIfaces = ipv4.Assign(gnbDevices);

    Ipv4InterfaceContainer ueIpIfaces = ipv4.Assign(ueDevices);

    // Create a traffic generator application

    uint16_t dlPort = 1234;

    OnOffHelper onOffHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(ueIpIfaces.GetAddress(0), dlPort));    onOffHelper.SetConstantRate(DataRate(“100Mbps”));

    ApplicationContainer clientApps = onOffHelper.Install(gnbNodes.Get(0));    clientApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));    clientApps.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    PacketSinkHelper packetSinkHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address::GetAny(), dlPort));

    ApplicationContainer serverApps = packetSinkHelper.Install(ueNodes.Get(0));    serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));    serverApps.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    // Enable tracing

    mmwaveHelper->EnableTraces();

    // Run the simulation    Simulator::Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    Simulator::Run();

    Simulator::Destroy();

    return 0;

}

Step 3: Construct and Execute the Simulation

1. Save the Script: In the scratch directory of your ns-3 installation, save the above script as simple-5g-simulation.cc.
2. Build the Simulation: To demonstrate your script, employ the waf build framework.

./waf build

3. Run the Simulation: Through the utilization of following command, run the script:

./waf –run scratch/simple-5g-simulation

Step 4: Examine the Results

1. Enable Tracing and Logging: To gather extensive simulation data, assure that the tracing is facilitated in your script. In order to produce trace files, you can utilize PcapTraceHelper or AsciiTraceHelper.
2. Visualize Results: Mainly, to examine and visualize the outcomes, employ ns-3’s in-built visualization tools or external tools such as Python, Wireshark, or MATLAB. Aim to plot parameters like packet loss, throughput, and latency.

Advanced Configuration

You can improve your script by means of supplementary arrangements and protocols to design more complicated 5G networks.

Advanced Characteristics:

1. Beamforming and MIMO:

• For better effectiveness and spectral efficacy, deploy beamforming and MIMO approaches.
• It is appreciable to arrange metrics such as beamforming weights and number of antennas.

2. Network Slicing:

• To assist various kinds of traffic along with differing QoS necessities, focus on developing numerous virtual networks (slices).
• On the basis of traffic requirements, allot sources dynamically to every slice.

3. Mobility Models:

• In order to simulate practical movement trends of UEs, employ more advanced mobility systems.
• To handle UE mobility among gNBs, apply handover methods.

4. Interference Management:

• Typically, interference management approaches have to be deployed to reduce the influence of intervention in intense implementations.
• It is approachable to arrange power control and frequency reuse policies.

Instance Code for Beamforming:

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/mmwave-helper.h”

#include “ns3/mmwave-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

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

{

    double simTime = 10.0;

    uint16_t numUeNodes = 2;

    uint16_t numGnbNodes = 1;

    // Create nodes for gNB and UEs

    NodeContainer ueNodes;    ueNodes.Create(numUeNodes);    NodeContainer gnbNodes;    gnbNodes.Create(numGnbNodes);

    // Set up mobility models

    MobilityHelper mobility;

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

    mobility.Install(gnbNodes);

    mobility.Install(ueNodes);

    // Set up the mmWave helper

    Ptr<MmWaveHelper> mmwaveHelper = CreateObject<MmWaveHelper>();

    mmwaveHelper->SetSchedulerType(“ns3::MmWaveFlexTtiMaxWeightMacScheduler”);

    // Enable beamforming

    mmwaveHelper->EnableBeamforming();

    // Install mmWave devices on nodes

    NetDeviceContainer gnbDevices = mmwaveHelper->InstallEnbDevice(gnbNodes);

    NetDeviceContainer ueDevices = mmwaveHelper->InstallUeDevice(ueNodes);

    // Attach UEs to the closest gNB

    mmwaveHelper->AttachToClosestEnb(ueDevices, gnbDevices);

    // Install the Internet stack

    InternetStackHelper internet;

    internet.Install(ueNodes);

    internet.Install(gnbNodes);

    // Assign IP addresses

    Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

    ipv4.SetBase(“7.0.0.0”, “255.0.0.0”);

    Ipv4InterfaceContainer gnbIpIfaces = ipv4.Assign(gnbDevices);

    Ipv4InterfaceContainer ueIpIfaces = ipv4.Assign(ueDevices);

    // Create a traffic generator application

    uint16_t dlPort = 1234;

    OnOffHelper onOffHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(ueIpIfaces.GetAddress(0), dlPort));    onOffHelper.SetConstantRate(DataRate(“100Mbps”));

    ApplicationContainer clientApps = onOffHelper.Install(gnbNodes.Get(0));    clientApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));    clientApps.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    PacketSinkHelper packetSinkHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address::GetAny(), dlPort));

    ApplicationContainer serverApps = packetSinkHelper.Install(ueNodes.Get(0));    serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));    serverApps.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    // Enable tracing

    mmwaveHelper->EnableTraces();

    // Run the simulation

    Simulator::Stop(Seconds(simTime));

    Simulator::Run();

    Simulator::Destroy();

    return 0;

}