How to Implement Backhaul Networks in OMNeT++

To implement the Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) Networks in OMNeT++, we have to setup a network that should be used for both access (connecting end users) and backhaul (connecting base stations to the core network). This technique is commonly used in 5G networks to offer efficient connectivity in areas that has high user density or difficult terrain. Following below we provided a step-by-step implementation of IAB networks:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework

Make certain that OMNeT++ and the INET Framework is installed.

Create a New OMNeT++ Project

Open OMNeT++ IDE: Start the OMNeT++ IDE.
Create a New Project: Go to File -> New -> OMNeT++ Project and name it (for example: IABNetworkSimulation).

Define the Network Topology

State the network topology which contains user devices, IAB nodes and the core network by creating a NED file.

Example: IAB Network Topology (IABNetwork.ned)

package iabnetwork;

import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;

import inet.node.inet.Router;

import inet.node.inet.WirelessHost;

network IABNetwork

{

parameters:

@display(“bgb=800,400”);

submodules:

user1: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=100,300”);

}

user2: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=300,300”);

}

iabNode1: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=200,200”);

}

iabNode2: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=400,200”);

}

coreRouter: Router {

@display(“p=300,100”);

}

connections:

user1.wlan[0] <–> AdhocChannel <–> iabNode1.wlan[0];

user2.wlan[0] <–> AdhocChannel <–> iabNode2.wlan[0];

iabNode1.ethg++ <–> Eth10M <–> coreRouter.ethg++;

iabNode2.ethg++ <–> Eth10M <–> coreRouter.ethg++;

@display(“bgb=600,400”);

}

Configure the Simulation

To configure the parameters of the simulation, we have to create an OMNeT++ initialization file.

Example: Configuration File (omnetpp.ini)

network = iabnetwork.IABNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Visualization

*.visualizer.canvasVisualizer.displayBackground = true

*.visualizer.canvasVisualizer.displayGrid = true

# User Configuration

*.user*.numApps = 1

*.user*.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”

*.user*.app[0].destAddresses = “iabNode1 iabNode2”

*.user*.app[0].destPort = 5000

*.user*.app[0].messageLength = 1024B

*.user*.app[0].sendInterval = 1s

# IAB Node Configuration

*.iabNode*.numApps = 1

*.iabNode*.app[0].typename = “UdpSink”

*.iabNode*.app[0].localPort = 5000

# Core Router Configuration

*.coreRouter.numApps = 1

*.coreRouter.app[0].typename = “UdpSink”

*.coreRouter.app[0].localPort = 6000

# UDP Configuration

*.user*.hasUdp = true

*.iabNode*.hasUdp = true

*.coreRouter.hasUdp = true

# Wireless Configuration

*.user*.wlan[0].typename = “AdhocHost”

*.iabNode*.wlan[0].typename = “AdhocHost”

# IP Address Configuration

*.user1.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“user1.xml”)

*.user2.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“user2.xml”)

*.iabNode1.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“iabNode1.xml”)

*.iabNode2.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“iabNode2.xml”)

*.coreRouter.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“coreRouter.xml”)

Create IP Address Configuration Files

In each node, we have to state the IP address configuration by generating XML files.

Example: IP Configuration File for user1 (user1.xml)

</interface>

</config>

Example: IP Configuration File for iabNode1 (iabNode1.xml)

</interface>

</interface>

</config>

Example: IP Configuration File for coreRouter (coreRouter.xml)

</interface>

</config>

Implement IAB Application Logic

Simulate the IAB applications by executing the logic for data transmission, processing, and management.

Example: User Application (Pseudo-Code)

#include <omnetpp.h>

using namespace omnetpp;

class UserApp : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

private:

void sendData();

};

Define_Module(UserApp);

void UserApp::initialize() {

// Initialization code

scheduleAt(simTime() + 1, new cMessage(“sendData”));

}

void UserApp::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

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

sendData();

scheduleAt(simTime() + 1, msg);

} else {

// Handle other messages

}

void UserApp::sendData() {

// Logic to send data to the IAB node

cMessage *msg = new cMessage(“data”);

send(msg, “out”);

}

Example: IAB Node Application (Pseudo-Code)

#include <omnetpp.h>

using namespace omnetpp;

class IABNodeApp : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

private:

void processData();

};

Define_Module(IABNodeApp);

void IABNodeApp::initialize() {

// Initialization code

}

void IABNodeApp::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

// Process data from users and forward it to the core network

processData();

}

void IABNodeApp::processData() {

// Logic to process and forward data

cMessage *msg = new cMessage(“forwardedData”);

send(msg, “out”);

}

Run the Simulation

Build the Project: Right-click on the project and pick Build Project.
Run the Simulation: In OMNeT++ IDE, click on the green play button to start the simulation.

At the end of the script, we assured, you have learned everything that needs to implement IAB Networks in OMNeT++ using the INET framework. If you have any doubts regarding IAB or need additional details of IAB, we will offer it. Our developers help you in the simulation and Implementation of Integrated Access and Backhaul Networks in OMNeT++tool. Contact omnet-manual.com for more help.