Interim report

Project idea
The idea of the project is to create a network simulation for UHF private networks in NS-3 discrete-event simulator. This would help the company SATEL with future projects. Simulation is verified by comparing it to real hardware setups that we build and measure. Hardware is provided to us mostly by SATEL and our school. The outcome of the simulation should be modular and easily maintainable. It should also be implemented and documented according to the appropriate NS-3 style.

Phases

• • Create a physical 2-radio router model of the network 
  • Experiment with the values on the physical networ
    • Oscilloscope measurements with different bitrates (TX – RX latency using loopback)
  • Perhaps experiment how a longer distance affects the latency 
  • Expand the network to 4-radio modems 
  • Configure Tx priority mode 
  • Implement SCADA 
  • Use the physical model as an example for the NS-3 simulation 
  • Implement Tx priority mode into simulation 
  • Implement SCADA simulation 
  • Compare results with physical network 
  • Use encryption in simulation (if we have the time)

Project division 

At this point of the project we do not have clear areas of responsibility defined. We were planning to have our embedded software specialists focus on the programming part of the project while the networking specialists would focus on the radio modems. Exact areas of responsibility will be determined later as we get development moving fully.

Current status

• • We’ve had three meetings with the project owners
    •  Our first meeting with the project owners (Kalle Tuulos and Timo Kotomäki) took place on 8.11.2019. We received a general overview of the project and its goals. In addition, we had a look at the radio modems that we would later be using. 
    • On 26.11 Kalle Tuulos from Satel visited our school and gave us two radio modems for testing purposes. He gave us a brief introduction on how to use them and how to test the connection between them.
    • We visited Satel in Salo on 3.12.2019. There we discussed the project in detail and they gave us vital technical information about the radio modems. We were also given a tour of their manufacturing floor.
  • We have experimented with two Satel Proof-TR4 modems and successfully tested the connection between them. We also gained a basic understanding of the configuration software used to manage the radio modems.  
  • We have started to familiarize ourselves with the NS-3 simulator.