How to Implement Molecular Communication in OMNeT++

Implementing molecular communication in OMNeT++ involves creating a simulation environment that models the transport and interaction of molecules as messages between nano-scale devices. This is a highly specialized field, often used in the context of nanotechnology and biological systems. While OMNeT++ and INET framework are typically used for traditional wireless and wired communications, you can extend them to support molecular communication.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started with implementing molecular communication in OMNeT++.

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Step 1: Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework

1. Download OMNeT++:
   • Get the latest version of the OMNeT++.
2. Install OMNeT++:
   • Follow the installation instructions provided on the website for your operating system.
3. Download and Install INET Framework:
   • The INET framework provides models for internet protocols and is often used with OMNeT++.
   • Install the INET framework on your system.

Step 2: Set Up Your Project

1. Create a New OMNeT++ Project:
   • Open the OMNeT++ IDE.
   • Go to File -> New -> OMNeT++ Project.
   • Enter a project name and choose the apt options.
2. Set Up Directory Structure:
   • Make sure that the project contains essential like src for source files and simulations for NED files and configuration.
3. Add INET to Your Project:
   • In Project Explorer, Right-click on project.
   • Select Properties -> Project References.
   • Check the box for INET.

Step 3: Define Molecular Communication Models Using NED

1. Create NED Files:
   • Create a new NED file (like MolecularNetwork.ned) in the src directory.
   • Define the network topology in the NED file. Follow the sample provided:

package molecular;

import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;

import inet.node.inet.Router;

import inet.mobility.static.StationaryMobility;

network MolecularNetwork

{

parameters:

int numNodes = default(5);

submodules:

sender: StandardHost {

@display(“p=100,100”);

mobility.typename = “StationaryMobility”;

}

receiver: StandardHost {

@display(“p=400,100”);

mobility.typename = “StationaryMobility”;

}

relay[numNodes]: StandardHost {

@display(“p=200+100*i,200”);

mobility.typename = “StationaryMobility”;

}

connections allowunconnected:

for i=0..numNodes-1 {

relay[i].wlan[0] <–> relay[(i+1) % numNodes].wlan[0];

}

sender.wlan[0] <–> relay[0].wlan[0];

relay[numNodes-1].wlan[0] <–> receiver.wlan[0];

}

Step 4: Implement Molecular Communication Logic

1. Create C++ Modules for Molecular Communication:
   • Create new C++ classes (e.g., MolecularTransmitter.cc and MolecularReceiver.cc) in the src directory.
   • It should contain essential OMNeT++ headers and define molecular communication logic.
2. Molecular Transmitter Implementation:

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/applications/base/ApplicationBase.h”

#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class MolecularTransmitter : public ApplicationBase

{

protected:

virtual void initialize(int stage) override;

virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;

void sendMolecularMessage();

void handleMolecularMessage(cPacket *pkt);

cMessage *sendEvent = nullptr;

};

Define_Module(MolecularTransmitter);

void MolecularTransmitter::initialize(int stage)

{

ApplicationBase::initialize(stage);

if (stage == INITSTAGE_LOCAL) {

sendEvent = new cMessage(“sendMolecularMessage”);

scheduleAt(simTime() + par(“startTime”), sendEvent);

}

}

void MolecularTransmitter::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)

{

if (msg == sendEvent) {

sendMolecularMessage();

scheduleAt(simTime() + par(“sendInterval”), sendEvent);

} else {

cPacket *pkt = check_and_cast<cPacket *>(msg);

handleMolecularMessage(pkt);

}

}

void MolecularTransmitter::sendMolecularMessage()

{

// Create and send a molecular message to the next node

EV << “Sending molecular message” << endl;

Packet *pkt = new Packet(“MolecularMessage”);

pkt->setByteLength(par(“messageSize”));

send(pkt, “lowerLayerOut”);

}

void MolecularTransmitter::handleMolecularMessage(cPacket *pkt)

{

// Handle received molecular message

EV << “Received molecular message: ” << pkt->getName() << endl;

delete pkt;

}

1. Molecular Receiver Implementation:

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/applications/base/ApplicationBase.h”

#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class MolecularReceiver : public ApplicationBase

{

protected:

virtual void initialize(int stage) override;

virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;

void handleMolecularMessage(cPacket *pkt);

};

Define_Module(MolecularReceiver);

void MolecularReceiver::initialize(int stage)

{

ApplicationBase::initialize(stage);

}

void MolecularReceiver::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)

{

if (msg->isSelfMessage()) {

delete msg;

} else {

cPacket *pkt = check_and_cast<cPacket *>(msg);

handleMolecularMessage(pkt);

}

}

void MolecularReceiver::handleMolecularMessage(cPacket *pkt)

{

// Handle received molecular message

EV << “Received molecular message: ” << pkt->getName() << endl;

delete pkt;

}

Step 5: Configure Simulation Parameters

1. Create omnetpp.ini:
   • Create an omnetpp.ini file inside the simulation directory.
   • Define simulation parameters like duration and network parameters:

[General]

network = MolecularNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Molecular communication parameters

**.sender.udpApp.startTime = uniform(0s, 10s)

**.sender.udpApp.sendInterval = exponential(1s)

**.sender.udpApp.messageSize = 256B

**.sender.udpApp.localPort = 1000

**.sender.udpApp.destPort = 2000

**.receiver.udpApp.localPort = 2000

Step 6: Build and Run the Simulation

1. Build the Project:
   • In the OMNeT++ IDE, right-click on project and choose Build Project.
2. Run the Simulation:
   • Go to Run -> Run Configurations.
   • Set up a new run configuration for the project and run the simulation.

Step 7: Analyze Results

1. View Simulation Results:
   • With the help of OMNeT++’s tools to analyze the results only after the simulation completed.
   • Open the ANF (Analysis Framework) to visualize and interpret the data.

Finally, we hope you grasped the whole concept through this script on how to implement the Molecular Communication in OMNeT++ and its framework functionalities. We can offer you additional details of molecular communication, if needed.

Get  complete support for the implementation of Molecular Communication in OMNeT++. Our expertise extends to providing full simulation and project performance assistance. Specializing in the OMNeT++ and INET frameworks, we focus on both traditional wireless and wired communications for your projects.