How to Implement 6TiSCH Sensors Communication in OMNeT++

To implement the 6TiSCH (IPv6 over the TSCH mode of IEEE 802.15.4e) in OMNeT++, we have to configure a network in which sensors can interact using the 6TiSCH protocol that is developed for low-power and lossy networks (LLNs). Follow the below process to implement it in OMNeT++:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Step 1: Set Up OMNeT++ Environment

1. Install OMNeT++: Make certain OMNeT++ and the INET framework are installed and configured.
2. Install the 6TiSCH Framework: If there’s a certain module or extension available for 6TiSCH (like 6LoWPAN or CoAP over TSCH), install it. You might need to adapt existing protocols or generate custom modules if a dedicated 6TiSCH module isn’t accessible.

Step 2: Create a 6TiSCH Sensor Node

We need to configure a 6TiSCH sensor node that contains:

• TSCH MAC Layer: To manage Time-Slotted Channel Hopping.
• 6LoWPAN Adaptation Layer: For compressing IPv6 packets.
• RPL (Routing Protocol for Low-power and Lossy Networks): For routing in mesh networks.
• CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol): For communication.

1. Define the 6TiSCH Node in NED:

simple SixTiSCHNode {

parameters:

@display(“i=device/wifirouter”);

double txPower @unit(dBm) = default(-10);

double dataRate @unit(bps) = default(250e3);

int slotframeLength = default(101);

gates:

input radioIn;

output radioOut;

submodules:

radio: Ieee802154NarrowbandRadio; // Use IEEE 802.15.4 radio

mac: SixTiSCHMac;

networkLayer: Ipv6NetworkLayer;

app: CoapApp;

connections:

radio.radioIn –> mac.upperLayerOut;

mac.upperLayerIn –> radio.radioOut;

mac.lowerLayerOut –> networkLayer.lowerLayerIn;

networkLayer.lowerLayerOut –> mac.lowerLayerIn;

networkLayer.upperLayerOut –> app.lowerLayerIn;

app.lowerLayerOut –> networkLayer.upperLayerIn;

}

2. Implement the 6TiSCH MAC Layer in C++:

#include “SixTiSCHMac.h”

Define_Module(SixTiSCHMac);

void SixTiSCHMac::initialize() {

// Initialization, including setting up the slotframe and scheduling slots

slotframeLength = par(“slotframeLength”);

scheduleAt(simTime() + slotDuration, new cMessage(“slotStart”));

}

void SixTiSCHMac::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “slotStart”) == 0) {

// Handle the start of a new slot

EV << “Starting a new slot\n”;

// Perform channel hopping, send data, etc.

// Schedule the next slot

scheduleAt(simTime() + slotDuration, msg);

} else {

// Handle other messages (e.g., incoming packets)

handleIncomingPacket(check_and_cast<Packet *>(msg));

}

}

void SixTiSCHMac::handleIncomingPacket(Packet *pkt) {

// Process incoming packets according to TSCH MAC rules

// Forward to the upper layers if necessary

}

Step 3: Configure the Network

Begin by creating the network topology with numerous 6TiSCH nodes. You might also encompass a border router that links the 6TiSCH network to the Internet.

Example NED File:

network SixTiSCHNetwork {

parameters:

int numNodes = default(10); // Number of sensor nodes

submodules:

sensorNode[numNodes]: SixTiSCHNode {

@display(“p=100,100;i=device/wifirouter”);

}

borderRouter: SixTiSCHBorderRouter {

@display(“p=50,50;i=device/server”);

}

connections allowunconnected:

// Connections between nodes will be wireless

// Use OMNeT++’s built-in mechanisms to manage wireless communication

}

Step 4: Run the Simulation

1. Simulation Configuration: In the omnetpp.ini file, set up simulation parameters like slot duration, simulation time, etc.

[Config SixTiSCHSimulation]

network = SixTiSCHNetwork

sim-time-limit = 200s

*.numNodes = 20

*.slotframeLength = 101

1. Start the Simulation: Run the simulation and monitor the actions of the 6TiSCH network. Nodes should communicate following the TSCH schedule, with packets routed depends on the RPL, and data possibly being sent using CoAP.

Step 5: Analyze the Results

• Network Performance: Verify metrics like packet delivery ratio, latency, and energy consumption.
• TSCH Operation: Assess the efficiency of slotframe scheduling and channel hopping in evading collisions and maximizing throughput.
• Routing Efficiency: Estimate the performance of RPL in terms of route stability and efficiency.

Step 6: Extend and Optimize

• Advanced Features: Execute more difficult 6TiSCH features like dynamic slot allocation, adaptive channel hopping, or network self-healing.
• Protocol Integration: Examine integration with other protocols like integrating 6TiSCH with other IoT frameworks or cloud services.
• Performance Tuning: Fine-tune parameters like slotframe length, guard times, and hopping sequences to enhance network performance under various conditions.

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