How to Calculate Network Number of Handovers in ns3

To calculate the number of handovers in ns3, we need to simulate a mobile network scenario where nodes (typically mobile devices) move between the coverage areas of different base stations or access points. When a mobile node switches its connection from one base station to another, a handover occurs.

Researchers at ns3simulation.com are available to assist you with presenting the results of performance analysis regarding the number of handovers in ns3 simulation for your project.

Here is a complete guide on calculating number of handovers in ns3.

Steps for calculating number of Handovers

1. Set up the simulation :

• Make sure that ns3 is installed in the computer. If not, install it and include necessary modules.

2. Create Network Topology:

• create nodes and configure the network topology.
• Set up base stations or access points and mobile nodes.

3. Configure Mobility Models :

• On the nodes, install mobility models to simulate movement.

4. Enable Handover Mechanisms:

• To support handovers, Configure the network.

5. Enable tracing and Metrics Collection:

• To capture relevant metrics such as handover events, use ns3 tracing capabilities.

5. Run the simulation :

• Execute the simulation and collect the trace data.

6. Analyze the results :

• Post-process the trace data to calculate the number handover.

Example to Calculate the Number of handovers

Create a basic set up of network with Wi-Fi network, simulate mobility, and calculate the number of handovers in ns3.

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/wifi-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

#include “ns3/log.h”

using namespace ns3;

NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“HandoverExample”);

int handoverCount = 0;

void HandoverCallback (std::string context, Mac48Address oldAp, Mac48Address newAp)

{

handoverCount++;

NS_LOG_UNCOND (“Handover from ” << oldAp << ” to ” << newAp << ” at ” << Simulator::Now ().GetSeconds () << ” seconds.”);

}

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

{

// Set up logging

LogComponentEnable (“UdpClient”, LOG_LEVEL_INFO);

LogComponentEnable (“UdpServer”, LOG_LEVEL_INFO);

// Create nodes

NodeContainer wifiStaNodes;

wifiStaNodes.Create (2);

NodeContainer wifiApNodes;

wifiApNodes.Create (2);

// Set up WiFi

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard (WIFI_STANDARD_80211n);

YansWifiChannelHelper channel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default ();

YansWifiPhyHelper phy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default ();

phy.SetChannel (channel.Create ());

WifiMacHelper mac;

Ssid ssid = Ssid (“ns-3-ssid”);

mac.SetType (“ns3::StaWifiMac”, “Ssid”, SsidValue (ssid), “ActiveProbing”, BooleanValue (false));

NetDeviceContainer staDevices = wifi.Install (phy, mac, wifiStaNodes);

mac.SetType (“ns3::ApWifiMac”, “Ssid”, SsidValue (ssid));

NetDeviceContainer apDevices = wifi.Install (phy, mac, wifiApNodes);

// Install mobility model

MobilityHelper mobility;

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

mobility.Install (wifiApNodes);

mobility.SetPositionAllocator (“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue (0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue (0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue (50.0),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue (0.0),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue (3),

“LayoutType”, StringValue (“RowFirst”));

mobility.Install (wifiStaNodes);

// Assign positions to the APs

Ptr<ListPositionAllocator> positionAlloc = CreateObject<ListPositionAllocator> ();

positionAlloc->Add (Vector (0.0, 0.0, 0.0));

positionAlloc->Add (Vector (50.0, 0.0, 0.0));

mobility.SetPositionAllocator (positionAlloc);

mobility.Install (wifiApNodes);

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install (wifiStaNodes);

stack.Install (wifiApNodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer staInterfaces = address.Assign (staDevices);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer apInterfaces = address.Assign (apDevices);

// Set up applications

UdpServerHelper server (9);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = server.Install (wifiStaNodes.Get (1));

serverApp.Start (Seconds (1.0));

serverApp.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

UdpClientHelper client (staInterfaces.GetAddress (1), 9);

client.SetAttribute (“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue (320));

client.SetAttribute (“Interval”, TimeValue (MilliSeconds (50)));

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

ApplicationContainer clientApp = client.Install (wifiStaNodes.Get (0));

clientApp.Start (Seconds (2.0));

clientApp.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

// Connect handover trace

Config::Connect (“/NodeList/*/DeviceList/*/Mac/MacRx”, MakeCallback (&HandoverCallback));

// Run the simulation

Simulator::Stop (Seconds (10.0));

Simulator::Run ();

NS_LOG_UNCOND (“Total number of handovers: ” << handoverCount);

// Clean up

Simulator::Destroy ();

return 0;

}

Explanation:

1. Setup Logging:
   • To track activities, enable logging for the UDP applications.
2. Create Nodes:
   • Create a set of nodes representing the Wi-Fi stations (STAs) and access points (APs).
3. Set Up Wi-Fi:
   • On the nodes, configure and install Wi-Fi devices.
4. Install Mobility Model:
   • On the nodes, install a mobility model.
   • Position the APs and STAs in the simulation space.
5. Install Internet Stack:
   • On the nodes, install the Internet stack.
6. Assign IP Addresses:
   • Assign IP addresses to the network interfaces.
7. Set Up Applications:
   • On the nodes, install UDP server and client applications.
8. Connect Handover Trace:
   • To trace handover events and count the number of handovers, use a callback function.
9. Run Simulation:
   • Run the simulation for the specified duration.
10. Log Number of Handovers:
    • After the simulation, log the total number of handovers.

Analyzing the Results:

• Handover Count:
  • Use the handoverCount variable to track the number of handovers, which is incremented each time a handover event occurs.

On the whole, we had a performance analysis on calculating number of handovers in ns3 by simulating a mobile network scenario where nodes (typically mobile devices) move between the coverage areas of different base stations or access points. Also, we provide detailed overview on Network Number of Handovers.If you are seeking support for conducting a performance analysis of networking, please reach out to us for guidance and practical explanations to achieve optimal results.