How to Implement Interoperability 5G in OMNeT++

To implement the interoperability in a 5G network within OMNeT++ has comprises mimicking the interaction among various 5G components, like, UEs (User Equipment), gNBs (5G base stations), and possibly incorporation with other network technologies such as 4G LTE or Wi-Fi. Interoperability in 5G can encompass handover situations, network slicing, or even communication among several network slices.

Steps to Implement 5G Interoperability in OMNeT++

Install OMNeT++ and Simu5G Framework:
- Make sure that OMNeT++ is installed, together with the Simu5G framework. This framework is an OMNeT++ model library for mimicking 5G networks, which expands the INET framework with 5G-specific modules.
Define the 5G Network Topology:
- Make a network topology using a .ned file that includes multiple gNBs (5G base stations) and UEs. We can also contain other network components such as an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) for interoperability with 4G networks.
Implement the 5G Interoperability Mechanism:
- Improve or form existing mechanisms that allow 5G interoperability, like handover procedures among gNBs, communication between several network slices, or fallback to 4G networks when 5G coverage is unobtainable.
Simulate Various Interoperability Scenarios:
- Configure the situations where UEs move among numerous gNBs (handover), switch between various slices based on QoS requirements, or communicate with a 4G network.
Configure the Simulation Environment:
- Use the .ini file to configure parameters such as network slicing, handover triggers, mobility patterns, network topology, and the exact scenarios we want to mimic.
Run the Simulation and Analyse Results:
- Implement the simulation and evaluate the performance of 5G interoperability. Important metrics contain network throughput, fulfilment across slices, packet loss during handover, handover latency.

Example: Implementing Basic 5G Interoperability in OMNeT++

Define the 5G Network Topology in a .ned File

// 5GInteroperabilityNetwork.ned

package networkstructure;

import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;

import inet.node.inet.Router;

network 5GInteroperabilityNetwork

{

submodules:

gNB1: Router {

@display(“p=100,200”);

numApps = 1;

app[0].typename = “5GBaseStationApp”;

}

gNB2: Router {

@display(“p=400,200”);

numApps = 1;

app[0].typename = “5GBaseStationApp”;

}

ue1: StandardHost {

@display(“p=100,100”);

numApps = 1;

app[0].typename = “5GUEApp”;

}

connections:

ue1.wlan[0] <–> WirelessChannel <–> gNB1.wlan[0];

gNB1.ethg++ <–> Ethernet100m <–> gNB2.ethg++;

}

Implement the 5G Base Station and UE Applications

Build C++ classes for basic 5G base station (gNB) and UE applications that can handle handovers or switch among several slices.

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include <inet/applications/base/ApplicationBase.h>

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class 5GBaseStationApp : public ApplicationBase

{

protected:

virtual void initialize(int stage) override;

virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;

void handleHandoverRequest(cMessage *msg);

public:

virtual int numInitStages() const override { return NUM_INIT_STAGES; }

};

Define_Module(5GBaseStationApp);

void 5GBaseStationApp::initialize(int stage)

{

ApplicationBase::initialize(stage);

if (stage == INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {

// Initialization code for gNB

}

void 5GBaseStationApp::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)

{

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

EV << “Processing handover request from UE.” << endl;

handleHandoverRequest(msg);

} else {

delete msg;

}

void 5GBaseStationApp::handleHandoverRequest(cMessage *msg)

{

// Example: Process handover request and transfer UE to another gNB

EV << “Transferring UE to another gNB.” << endl;

delete msg;

}

class 5GUEApp : public ApplicationBase

{

protected:

virtual void initialize(int stage) override;

virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;

void initiateHandover();

public:

virtual int numInitStages() const override { return NUM_INIT_STAGES; }

};

Define_Module(5GUEApp);

void 5GUEApp::initialize(int stage)

{

ApplicationBase::initialize(stage);

if (stage == INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {

scheduleAt(simTime() + 10, new cMessage(“startHandover”));

}

void 5GUEApp::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)

{

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

initiateHandover();

delete msg;

} else {

delete msg;

}

void 5GUEApp::initiateHandover()

{

cMessage *handoverRequest = new cMessage(“HandoverRequest”);

send(handoverRequest, “wlan$o”);

}

Modify Node Modules to Use the 5G Applications

Modify the node modules to contain the 5G base station and UE applications.

simple Router extends inet.node.inet.Router

{

parameters:

@display(“i=device/server”);

numApps = 1;

app[0].typename = “5GBaseStationApp”;

}

Configure the Simulation in the .ini File

# omnetpp.ini

[General]

network = networkstructure.5GInteroperabilityNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Network settings

*.ue1.app[0].handoverTrigger = 50m; # Distance threshold for handover initiation

Explanation of the Example

Network Topology (5GInteroperabilityNetwork.ned):
- The network contains of two 5G base stations (gNB1 and gNB2) and one UE (ue1). The UE can initiate a handover when it transfer out of range of the recent gNB.
5G Base Station and UE Logic (5GBaseStationApp.cc, 5GUEApp.cc):
- The 5GBaseStationApp module manages handover requests from UEs, while the 5GUEApp module can initiate a transfer when it identifies that it is moving out of range.
Simulation Configuration (omnetpp.ini):
- The .ini file configures network settings like the handover trigger distance, which determines when the UE would request a transfer.

Running the Simulation

Compile the project in OMNeT++ IDE and run the simulation.
Use OMNeT++’s tools to monitor how the UE initiates handovers among gNBs and how the network manages the transition. Analyse metrics such as handover latency, packet loss while handover, and complete network performance.

Extending the Example

Network Slicing: Execute network slicing where various slices of the network are used for several kinds of traffic like low-latency slice for VoIP and high-throughput slice for video streaming.
Integration with 4G Networks: Mimic interoperability among 4G LTE and 5G networks, where UEs can transfer from a 5G gNB to a 4G eNodeB and vice versa.
QoS-aware Handover: Improve the handover mechanism to consider QoS requirements, make sure that handovers are only done if the aim gNB can meet the UE’s QoS needs.
Dynamic Spectrum Sharing: Execute dynamic spectrum sharing among several network slices or between 4G and 5G networks to enhance the use of available spectrum.
Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC): Mimic situations where UEs can offload computation to edge servers, and learn how this communicates with 5G handovers and interoperability.

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