Introduction to Network Modelling

and Simulation
Course 34330 Introduction to Mobile Communication

Lecture 14

October 15, 2010

Learning objectives and today’s agenda
• After this lecture, you should be able to:
– Discuss the application of computer simulations in relation to
communication networks

• Agenda:
– Computer simulation of communication networks – how and why
– Introduction to the simulation exercise
– Introduction to the individual project

2 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Network modelling and simulation
What is modeling and simulation?
• The imitation (and not a replication!) of a real-life system or subsystem
– Artificially generates the history of a system

System
• Based on assumptions a model can

Vali
be developed, validated and verified

tion

d
– Model development is an art!

atio
Valid

n
• Questions about the real-life systems
can now be answered by performing
experiments with the model.
implementation
This is called simulation. Model Conceptual
implementation model

Verification

4 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Benefits of simulation
• Predict the behavior of systems
– That do not yet exist
– That are not available for testing
– That are complex
– That are very large

• Event driven simulation

– Ideal for protocol and behavioral modeling
– Shows protocol interactions  and application behavior

• Alternatives
– Analytical model
– Measurements

5 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Why simulate data services in mobile
networks?
• Mobile data services must be considered separately from voice services!
– Increased load  degrading level of service
– A suite of very differing services
– Satisfactory service level depends on the service
– Bursty services  average load not interesting
– Interactive services sensitive to delays

• Network dimensioning impacts service behavior

– Over provisioning is costly
– Under provisioning is costly

• Simulation makes you test drive data services

– Predict behavior
– Dimension correctly - and add capacity at the right time

6 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

6
Simulation – operator benefits
• What mobile operators want:
– Improve their business
– Rapid solutions to their current operational issues
– Inputs to their strategic planning (e.g., when to migrate to new
technologies)

• How can mobile operators improve business?

– Get more subscribers
– Increase the usage of network data services
– Improve QoSEE (end-to-end Quality of Service)
– Reduce costs
– Deploy capacity at the right time

7 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

The CommWyse simulation tool
CommWyse Simulator: IMNS 3000
• Mobile network simulator
• Detailed models of network elements
– Discrete event protocol models (just like the real protocols)
– End-to-end data flows
• Predicts application and network behaviour for a number of different
categories of users

Topology
Network view
Configuration
User view
Traffic

Mobile network in a box

9 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

9
CommWyse simulation tool

10 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

10
Introduction to the lab!
Lab topics
• GPRS / EDGE
– Comparing GPRS and EDGE performance
– QoS from a users‟ point of view

• UMTS
– dynamic rate adaptation

• HSDPA
– Basic performance compared to UMTS
– Iub dimensioning

12 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Practical details
• You already got an account to DTU Fotonik‟s databar in building 343
room 105

• 44 participants but only limited number of software licenses 

Not possible to have the exercise for all students on the same day 
– The regular timeslot on 4 Tuesdays have been reserved, i.e., no
lectures in these timeslots
– Please show up for the exercise on the assigned day – there might
not be an available computer for you on another Tuesday!

• Lab manual will be available from CampusNet no later than October 22

– Please bring it with you to the exercise

13 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Practical details (2)
• Documentation of exercise in report
– Deadline: November 26 at 12:00
• Choose „Assignments‟ in CampusNet

• Suggested report structure:

– Introduction, e.g., what is simulation and why is it a good idea to
use for mobile communication systems.
– GPRS / EDGE simulation setup, results and discussion
– UMTS simulation setup, results and discussion
– HSDPA simulation setup, results and discussion
– Conclusion

• Remember: Simulation report counts for 10% of final grade

14 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Individual project
Individual project
• As part of the evaluation requirements, you must do an individual
project, which counts for 20% of your final grade

• Project: Theoretical analysis of some technology/system/… related to the

topics and scope of this course.

• Possible things to include:

– General description/overview of the chosen technology/system/…
– Comparisons with topics from the textbook/lectures (GSM, GPRS, …)
• Pros and cons
– Typical applications and/or usage scenarios
–…

16 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Individual project (2)
• See a list of possible project topics at:

http://files.fotonik.dtu.dk/larst/34330_Individual_Project.html

• Own idea for topic: OK (if relevant), but it has to be approved

– Send mail to larst@fotonik.dtu.dk with proposal

• Limited number of students per topic

• Individual project – but it‟s OK to discuss your topic with fellow students

• Document with practical details on CampusNet

• Need help? Just ask us

17 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Individual project (3)
• Typical workflow:
– Selection of a topic
– Gathering relevant material (papers, standards, white-papers, etc.)
– Getting familiar with the material
– Narrowing the scope and making an outline
– Writing the report

• Size of report: Ideally 8 – 12 normalpages

– 1 normalpage ≈ 2400 characters (letters, digits, spaces, …)

• Hand-in of report through CampusNet

– Deadline is December 3 at 15:00 – Absolutely no extension to the
deadline will be granted, since we have to read your report before the
oral exam

18 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Concerning plagiarism
• DTU does not tolerate plagiarism!
– Plagiarism: ”… is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the
language and thoughts of another author and the representation of
them as one's own original work.” Source: Wikipedia

• ”Patchwork” writing (Changing “… system that is …” to “… system, which

is …”) is also considered as plagiarism!

• (Suspicion of) plagiarism will be reported. Possible consequences of

plagiarism:
– Written warning
– Nullifying the points of this course or even entire semester(s)
– Expulsion

• When you hand-in your report through CampusNet, it will automatically

be checked by Urkund!
There are absolutely no acceptable excuses for plagiarism,
19 regardless
DTU Fotonik, of your
Technical University prior experience, background, etc.
of Denmark 14 October 2010
References
• Source material must be properly referenced:
– Main text: ”… the thingamajig converter [16] is used to increase …”
– References section:
[16] J. Doe, ”A thingamajig converter for mobile phones”, Journal of
Fascinating Technical Gadgets and Gizmos, Vol. 32, no. 4, 2005
– See the project information document for more examples on how to
reference source material

• Quotations: OK to include a limited number

– Usually no more than 2-3 sentences per quotation
– Must be properly indicated (e.g. italics and quotation signs) and
referenced
– Only include quotations when it‟s (very) relevant

20 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010

Summary
Summary and next time(s)
• Computer simulation and modelling of mobile communication networks

• Simulation exercise
– Deadline for the report: Nov. 26 at 12:00
Please note
that the
• Individual project
deadlines
– Deadline for the report: Dec. 3 at 15:00 are different!

22 DTU Fotonik, Technical University of Denmark 14 October 2010