Wireless Sensor Networks and its Tools for Simulation

GRD Journals- Global Research and Development Journal for Engineering | Volume 4 | Issue 10 | September 2019 ISSN: 2455-5703

Wireless Sensor Networks and its Tools for Simulation A. D. C Navin Dhinnesh Department of Computer Applications Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi – 626005, India

Abstract People have started using Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) due to its varied applications use in different fields. By interconnecting huge number of sensor nodes, once can structure a WSN. The function of nodes depend on its applications like maintaining temperature, sensing the humidity, etc., Once the data are collected by the sensor nodes, the data are sent to the master node. Even though WSN are used in many fields, they have few shortcomings also. Researches do plenty of research work in WSN by developing new Algorithms, or creating new protocols, or formulating new techniques [1]. Once new technique is developed, it must be tested before implementing in real time. Researchers use simulation as a way for testing the new techniques they have created. Even though many simulation tools are available, only few are dedicated to WSN. In this paper, the author discusses few simulation tools which are very much useful for researchers in WSN. Keywords- Wireless Sensor Networks, Trace Driven Simulation, Discrete Event Simulation, Node, Simulation

I. INTRODUCTION Now a day’s lot of research is going on in the field of WSN [2]. Sensors are deployed in WSN in a random manner. These sensors have high computing capability and also they are very much useful for sensing a region. A sensor node is also known as a mote [3]. A mote is a node but a node is not always a mote. Figure 1 shows simple wireless sensor network architecture consisting of few sensor nodes, a gateway and end user.

Fig. 1: Wireless Sensor Network Architecture

Courtesy: Google The Base Station (BS) collects the data from each and every node and does the required analysis for further processing.

The nodes operate as router in WSN for sending out the information to the sink node from the source node. [4] – [6]. The deployed nodes will be facing lot of issues pertaining to energy, power, sensing range, etc. These may lead to increase in cost, make the node complex. To make the nodes more reliable researchers have developed various new protocols and algorithms, so that while deploying the nodes in real time, it will be so consistent [7]. Testing of the proposed protocols is not possible in real time since it will consume more time and the cost will be high. For overcoming the above, researchers go for simulation tools, which make implementation easier, and less cost. There are three types of simulations pertaining to WSN. They are: i) Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS), ii) Trace Driven Simulation (TDS), and iii) Discrete Event Simulation (DES). Of the three simulations, most often TDS and DES are employed. Because of its easy simulation, more often Discrete Event Simulation is used [8][9]. But TES is used mainly for the applications involving real time.

For the researchers to perform their research in WSN, this paper gives a complete appraisal of a variety of Simulators.

This paper is prepared as: Section II enlightens WSN Simulator Architecture, Section III symbolizes the Classification criteria for

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Wireless Sensor Networks and its Tools for Simulation (GRDJE/ Volume 4 / Issue 10 / 010)

evaluating sensor network simulators, Section IV highlights various Simulators for WSNs, Section V gives the comparison of various simulators and Section VI presents conclusion and future scope.

II. SIMULATION TOOLS There are many simulation tools available in the market such as: NS-2, NS-3, MATLAB/Simulink, and Prowler A. NS-2 In the year 1989 NS-2 was developed and one can get NS2 free of cost. From its inception, it has brought many laurels in the research area of networks. It is observed as DES tool. Researchers prefer this tool for the networks with dynamic communication.

It is also called as Object Oriented Discrete Event Simulator since it is Object Oriented programming (OOP) based. Figure 2 shows the basic architecture of NS-2 Simulator [10].

Fig. 2: Basic Architecture of NS-2 Simulator

NS-2 comprise of both C++ and Object oriented Tool Command Language (OTcl). The former is for implementing a variety of protocols plus expanding simulation libraries. The latter is for configuring the simulator, setting up network topology, for network creation, and to display the results obtained from simulation. Tcl with classes (TclCL) binds both C++ and OTcl. It also supports protocols like 802.11, 802.15.4, etc [11]. Network Animator (NAM) is an inbuilt tool available in NS-2 for simulations which are graphical based. Packet movement, position of nodes and simulation are performed by NAM. B. NS-3 In 2008 June, NS-3 was launched. It is also an open source tool and Discrete Event Simulator like NS-2. It is not the extension of NS-2. Pure C++ code is supported by NS-3. One can work with NS-3 in both Windows and Linux operating system via Cygwin.

Figure 3 shows the basic NS-3 architecture.

Fig. 3: Basic NS-3 Architecture

Courtesy: Google C. MATLAB / Simulink Matrix Laboratory (Matlab) [12 - 15] is from Mathworks Inc. Researchers can program very easily. It has lot of toolboxes like: Fuzzy Logic, Control System, etc. It has a backend called Simulink. Graphical User Interface (GUI) is supported by Simulink. It is fully integrated with MATLAB. It is very easy to learn and at the same time it is flexible. Using communication toolbox one can build a WSN in Matlab and Simulink. Figure 4 shows a sample Simulink Browser All rights reserved by www.grdjournals.com

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Wireless Sensor Networks and its Tools for Simulation (GRDJE/ Volume 4 / Issue 10 / 010)

Fig. 4: Sample Simulink Browser

D. Prowler Probabilistic Wireless Sensor Network Simulator (Prowler) [16-18] is one type of simulator for WSN. This simulator is of an event driven type. It can operate in whichever mode; ie., probabilistic or deterministic mode. JProwler is the extension of Prowler written in Java Language. It is currently running under MATLAB thereby providing a simple way of prototyping applications with good visualization. Figure 5 shows a Prowler Main GUI screen

Fig. 5: Prowler – Main GUI

III. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE For testing the work the researchers have done, they use few of the existing Simulation tools. In this paper the author discusses few of the simulation tools for the researchers to carry out their work in WSN. Compared to the above discussed simulators, NS2 is considered to be the best simulators as of now for doing research work in WSN. In future several test beds will be available for testing the research work.

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Wireless Sensor Networks and its Tools for Simulation (GRDJE/ Volume 4 / Issue 10 / 010)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author acknowledges the support and encouragement by the Management, Principal and Director of Computer Applications department, towards this work.

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