ns-3-based real-time emulation of LTE testbed using LabVIEW platform for software defined networking (SDN) in CROWD project

Abstract

In this paper, we present initial results on how the ns-3 LTE LENA stack is used to build a LTE testbed in an indoor lab network. We have extended the ns-3 MAC/PHY layer architecture to interface with a LabVIEW implementation of the LTE Physical layer and also extended ns-3 core modules to enable real-time performance. We present how this testbed can be used for prototyping a novel Software Defined Networking (SDN) scheme for interference management within dense heterogeneous deployments of cellular wireless networks. We provide an example case study for a Distributed Mobility Management (DMM) implementation using this testbed, where we demonstrate mobility of a emulated User Equipment device between LTE and WiFi networks. We plan to use this testbed for validation and demonstration of various SDN-based algorithms proposed within the framework of the EU FP7 CROWD (Connectivity management for eneRgy Optimised Wireless Dense networks) Project. We believe the proposed testbed is especially valuable for studying the cross-layer performance of cellular PHY/MAC algorithms in a realistic environment and shows how ns-3 can be used as a unified prototyping and simulation framework for wireless networks.

Scalable Real-Time Emulation of 5G Networks With Simu5G

“…To the best of our knowledge, there is no mention of either of the above working in real time. We are aware that ns3, on which 5G-LENA is based, allows real application to interact with simulated models, and can also run in real time (see, e.g., [28]- [29], which discuss LTE emulation). However, this does not imply that 5G-LENA is lightweight enough to run in real time, nor it sheds any light on the scaleif anyat which this would be possible.…”

Indoor propagation models for emulated LTE networks

“…The study was carried out under limited conditions, which is why it is recommended to use tools with a greater degree of flexibility. In [24], the authors presented how to use the LENA‐NS3 protocol stack to build an indoor test bench for LTE that could be used for prototypes of software defined networks. However, this work does not show information on the propagation models used either.…”

Statistical validation of an LTE emulation tool using live video streaming over reliable transport protocols

“…Similarly, a videostreaming simulator for mobile networks was developed in [16] for studying the performance of an LTE network supporting this type of traffic. In [17], a description of the LENA NS-3 protocol stack was presented with the aim of building a Software-Defined Network (SDN) test bench over it. However, none of these previous works did not consider the impact of propagation conditions on the deployment of the LTE network.…”