SNS3 Simulator Description

Satellite Network Simulator 3 (SNS3) is a satellite network extension to Network Simulator 3 (ns-3) platform. ns-3 is a discrete event simulator for networking research licensed under General Public License v2 (GPLv2). SNS3 models a full interactive multi-spot beam satellite network with a geostationary satellite and transparent star (bent-pipe) payload. The reference satellite system consists of 72 spot-beams with an European coverage, 5 gateways and Ka-band frequencies.

SNS3 implements DVB-RCS2 (Digital Video Broadcast – Return Channel via Satellite – 2nd generation) and DVB-S2 (Digital Video Broadcasting – Satellite – 2nd generation) specifications in return and forward link. Satellite network features include e.g.

  • Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM)

  • Return and forward link scheduling

  • Demand Assignment Multiple Access (DAMA): Constant Rate Allocation (CRA), Rate-Based Dynamic Capacity (RBDC), Volume-Based Dynamic Capacity (VBDC), Free Capacity Allocation (FCA)

  • Random Access (RA): Slotted ALOHA and Contention Resolution Diversity Slotted ALOHA (CRDSA)

  • Generic Stream Encapsulation (GSE)

  • Return Link Encapsulation (RLE)

  • Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ)

  • Multi-beam satellite antenna gain patterns

  • Packet-by-packet SNIR computation

  • Packet-by-packet co-channel and intra-beam interference tracking

  • Weather traces, Land-Mobile Satellite (LMS) channel

  • Error models

In addition, SNS3 benefits from numerous existing ns-3 models and features, such as various terrestrial air interfaces (LTE, WiFi), network and transport layer models, application models, real-time emulation support and direct code execution.

Simulators and emulators provide deep insight on networking building blocks in a relatively fast and cost-effective manner without a need for early-stage prototypes. Simulations and emulations may have complementary roles; e.g. SNS3 simulations can assess full-blown network performance and SNS3 emulations can focus on protocol interaction. Example SNS3 use cases include e.g.

  • Algorithm and protocol design, development and optimization

  • Proof-of-concepts to support product development

  • Full satellite system performance assessment and end user quality of service verification

  • Higher layer protocol and application performance optimization

  • Visual satellite network demonstrations

References:

  1. J. Puttonen, S. Rantanen, F. Laakso, J. Kurjenniemi, K. Aho, G. Acar, “Satellite Model for Network Simulator 3”, 7th International ICST Conference on Simulation Tools and Techniques (SIMUtools), Lisbon, Portugal, March 2014.

  2. J. Puttonen, S. Rantanen, F. Laakso, J. Kurjenniemi, K. Aho, G. Acar, “Satellite Module for Network Simulator 3”, The Workshop on NS-3 (WNS3), Atlanta, USA, May 2014. [POSTER]

  3. J. Puttonen, S. Rantanen, F. Laakso, J. Kurjenniemi, K. Aho, “A Packet Level Simulator for Future Satellite Communications Research”, AIAA Space 2014, San Diego, USA, August 2014.

  4. V. Hytönen, B. Herman, J. Puttonen, S. Rantanen, J. Kurjenniemi, “Satellite Network Emulation with Network Simulator 3”, Ka and Broadband Communications, Navigation and Earth Observation Conference (KaConf), Salerno/Vietri, Italy, October 2014.

  5. J. Puttonen, S. Rantanen, F. Laakso, J. Kurjenniemi, “Satellite Network Simulator 3”, Workshop on Simulation for European Space Programmes (SESP), Noordwijk, Netherlands, March 2015.

  6. J. Puttonen, L. Sormunen and J. Kurjenniemi, “Radio Resource Management in DVB-RCS2 Satellite Systems”, AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems Conference, Cleveland, USA, October 18 – 20, 2016.

  7. L. Sormunen, J. Puttonen and J. Kurjenniemi, “System Level Modeling of Beam Hopping for Multi-Spot Beam Satellite Systems”, Ka Band Utilization Conference, Trieste, Italy, October 16-19, 2017.

  8. L. Sormunen, J. Puttonen and J. Kurjenniemi, “Aeronautical Mobility Model for Multi-Spot Beam Satellite Systems”, Ka Band Utilization Conference, Trieste, Italy, October 16-19, 2017.

  9. L. Sormunen, J. Puttonen and J. Kurjenniemi, “System Level Modeling of DVB-S2X in High Throughput Satellite System”, Proc. of the 36th International Communications Satellite Systems Conference (ICSSC), Niagara Falls, Canada, October 15-18, 2018.