SNS3
– Satellite Network Simulator 3 –

Tool for SatCom R&D

About SNS3

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 is a dynamic system simulator, which works at a physical level burst resolution. Its use cases range from full network level performance to a single user Quality of Service verification. SNS3 is built to be modular and flexible to provide extensibility to different satellite communication networks and use cases.

SNS3 is now available as a service including easy simulation campaign creation and configuration, built in visualization and analytics for the simulation results complemented by scalable cloud computing capacity for running simulations.

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SNS3, Antenna spot-beam gain patterns with GW positions

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Features

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.

Use cases

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

Services

SNS3 SIMULATIONS AS A SERVICE

We offer Satellite Network Simulation Services supporting design, development, optimization and maintenance of satellite communication networks.
Whole network simulation workflow is integrated into one service including scenario and campaign design, simulation launching and monitoring and results analysis with visualizations.
Service is built on a scalable, high performance cloud-based architecture.

SNS3 ADD-ON DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

If some feature is missing from SNS3, contact our SNS3 team for a tailored, fixed price, quote with initial design steps, schedule and work hour estimate.
We utilize agile software development to guarantee best end result and allow involvement and transparency for the customer.

SNS3 MAINTENANCE SERVICES

As a part of our Simulations as a Service we provide SNS3 maintenance services to support your satcom R&D.
Maintenance includes SNS3 version upgrades, bug fixes, code improvements, testing services, and add-on tools.

SNS3 R&D SERVICES

If you need simulative R&D support for your product development, network design or optimization, turn to our R&D services for both shorter term R&D support project quotes and longer term projects with continuity and fixed personnel.
Our highly qualified team has a long experience in simulation driven R&D at industry, and an academic record with Ph.D. degrees and numerous international articles, IPRs and patents.

SNS3 TRAINING

We offer SNS3 training with tailored content for your requirements to boost your SNS3 project liftoff.
Our trainings provided a requested share between theory and hands-on practice.
Our certified trainers are experts in both different wireless technologies and simulation platforms.

PARTNERSHIP

If you need partners with simulative R&D expertise, for e.g. ESA or EU projects, please contact our SNS3 team!
We have a strong competence in simulator design and development, in both terrestrial and satellite communication fields.
We are experts in radio interface modelling, RRM algorithm design, verification and performance analysis.

References

Articles

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.
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]
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.
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.
J. Puttonen, S. Rantanen, F. Laakso, J. Kurjenniemi, “Satellite Network Simulator 3”, Workshop on Simulation for European Space Programmes (SESP), Noordwijk, Netherlands, March 2015.
J. Puttonen, J. Zhang, O. Puchko, J. Kurjenniemi, H. Kim, H. Paaso, J. Seppänen, P. Järvensivu, P. Salaris, A. Masci, R. Romanato, D. Di Lanzo, S. Falzini, G. Martini, A. Pagnani, N. Buchanan, I. Aguillar Sanches, “Robust telemetry system for future launchers”, ESA International Workshop on Tracking, Telemetry and Command Systems for Space Applications (TTC 2016), Noordwijk, The Netherlands, September 13 – 16, 2016.
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.
J. Puttonen, S. Rantanen, L. Sormunen and J. Kurjenniemi, “Performance Analysis of Secure Multicast Service Delivery over Multi-spot Beam Satellite Network”, Ka and Broadband Communications Conference, Cleveland, USA, October 18 – 20, 2016.
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.
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.
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.
L. Sormunen, R. U. Mondal, J. Puttonen and J. Kurjenniemi, ”Flexible Simulation Framework for High Throughput Satellite System Radio Resource Management”, Ka and Broadband Communications Conference, Sorrento, Italy, September 30 – October 2, 2019.
J. Puttonen, T. Nihtilä, M. Innanen, R. Järvinen, J. Kurjenniemi, V. Hytönen, T. Flink, “Cloud Simulation Platform for Satellite and Terrestrial Network Simulations”, Ka and Broadband Communications Conference, Sorrento, Italy, September 30 – October 2, 2019.

Talks and demos

SNS3 simulation and emulation demo, Industry Space Days, http://www.industryspacedays.com/, Noordwijk, Netherlands, June 2014.
J. Puttonen, ”SNS3: Satellite Network Simulation and Emulation with Network Simulator 3”, NetSat day, SatCom Technical Workshop on Network and Access, Tolouse Space Show, http://www.toulousespaceshow.eu/tss14/, Tolouse, France, July 2014.
SNS3 simulation demo, ESA ARTES 1 Final Presentation Days, http://artes.esa.int/news/artes-1-final-presentation-days, Noordwijk, Netherlands, January 2015.
Project presentation: “Network Security on Multi-Spot Beam Broadband Networks for Multicast Based Interactive Systems”, ESA ARTES Final Presentation Days – Platform and ground segment, Noordwijk, Netherlands, March 2017.

Projects

- - ESA ARTES 5.1 AO6947 project, “Development of an Open-Source, Modular and Flexible Satellite Network Simulator”, 2012 – 2014, http://artes.esa.int/projects/development-open-source-modular-and-flexible-satellite-network-simulator
  - ESA ARTES 5.1 AO7476 project, “Network Security on Multi-Spot Beam Broadband Networks for Multicast Based Interactive Systems”, 2014 – 2016.
  - ESA TRP AO8045 project, “Robust TM System for Future Launchers”, 2015 – 2016.
  - ESA project: SNS3 maintenance and feature development, 01/2015 – 03/2017
  - ESA AO16105 project, “ETSI S-UMTS Family SL extensions to SNS3 for railway control communications”, 2019.
  - ESA AO8939 project, “Real-time Satellite Network Emulator”, 2018 – 2020.

Contact

You can also contact the SNS3 team directly by phone or email: firstname.lastname@magister.fi

Jani Puttonen

+358 44 564 0814

Janne Kurjenniemi

+358 50 361 0995

SNS3 – Satellite Network Simulator 3 –