There are several efficient simulators appropriate for the simulation of 5G networks. Every simulator has unique functionalities and benefits. The following is the comparison of various simulators such as ns-3, QualNet, Atoll, MATLAB with 5G Toolbox, and OMNeT++ with Simu5G: 

1. ns-3

• Explanation: NS-3 is extensively utilized for various objectives relevant to research and academics. It is referred to as a discrete-event network simulator. In addition to the various aspects that are needed for 5G simulation with NR and mmWave modules, it also assists diverse networking frameworks and protocols.
• Major Characteristics:
  • NS-3 offers assistance for NR (New Radio) and mmWave 5G protocols.
  • For improved simulation abilities, it enables combination with external tools and libraries.
  • Elaborate MAC and physical (PHY) layer models.
  • Particularly for conventional protocol application, it is extensible and adaptable.
• Advantages:
  • It has effective committee support and large-scale documentation.
  • More flexible and scalable.
  • It is majorly employed in research and educational platforms and is a publicly accessible one.
• Application Areas:
  • Comparison of various resource scheduling and allocation methods.
  • Performance assessment of 5G networks.
  • Exploration and creation of novel 5G mechanisms.

2. OMNeT++ with Simu5G

• Explanation: For the simulation of computer networks, OMNeT++ is widely employed. It is considered as a discrete event simulation platform. Mainly, Simu5G is modeled for LTE-Advanced and 5G NR simulations, and is specified as an OMNeT++ extension.
• Major Characteristics:
  • Supports in-depth designing of 5G NR MAC and PHY layers.
  • For extensive network simulations, it facilitates combination with the INET architecture.
  • Practical traffic creation and innovative mobility models.
  • Provides assistance for adaptable frame design and network slicing.
• Advantages:
  • OMNeT++ has extensive debugging and visualization tools.
  • For precise network protocol simulation, it offers robust assistance.
  • Significantly adaptable and extensible.
• Application Areas:
  • In 5G networks, assessment of novel methods and protocols.
  • Educational research based on LTE-Advanced and 5G NR.
  • Supports the simulation of end-to-end 5G network contexts. It could encompass access and core networks.

3. MATLAB with 5G Toolbox

• Explanation: Specifically for model-based structure and numerical computation, a high-level programming platform is offered by MATLAB and Simulink. For 5G NR, the reference instances and standards-compliant functions are suggested by the MATLAB’s 5G Toolbox.
• Major Characteristics:
  • Creation and analysis of standards-compliant 5G NR waveform.
  • Provides link-level simulation abilities such as beamforming and channel modeling.
  • For large-scale system-level simulations, it facilitates incorporation with other MATLAB toolboxes.
  • Assistance for beam handling, MIMO, and massive MIMO.
• Advantages:
  • MATLAB offers standards-compliant and more precise simulations.
  • For algorithm creation and modeling, it is highly suitable.
  • Majorly for extensive simulations, it enables efficient combination with other toolboxes of MATLAB.
• Application Areas:
  • Modeling and evaluation of 5G algorithms.
  • Supports system-level simulations with superior layers and physical layer.
  • Link-level performance assessment.

4. Atoll

• Explanation: For radio planning and enhancement, Atoll is examined as the most prominent software. Extensive wireless mechanisms such as 5G NR are assisted by this software.
• Major Characteristics:
  • For precise coverage forecasting, Atoll offers large-scale propagation models.
  • Offers assistance for massive MIMO and mmWave frequencies, and has innovative modeling abilities for 5G NR.
  • For accurate clutter and environment data, it facilitates combined GIS (Geographical Information System).
  • Supports multi-technology scheduling and enhancement.
• Advantages:
  • Radio planning in a more in-depth and precise manner.
  • For practical ecological modeling and GIS combination, it provides efficient assistance.
  • It is extensively employed for network planning and enhancement in industry.
• Application Areas:
  • In-depth network enhancement and 5G cell planning.
  • Simulation of intervention, capability, and coverage.
  • Model and enhancement of the network in an automatic way.

5. QualNet

• Explanation: QualNet offers extensible and high-fidelity simulations of wired and wireless networks. It is specifically a network simulation tool.
• Major Characteristics:
  • QualNet has abilities for extensive, high-speed network simulations.
  • For wireless interactions such as 5G NR, it offers precise models.
  • Network simulation and emulation in actual-time.
  • It has a wide range of analysis and visualization tools.
• Advantages:
  • It can simulate extensive networks in an effective way.
  • For network evaluation and validation, it provides actual-time simulation functionalities.
  • It has specific analysis and visualization tools.
• Application Areas:
  • Based on different contexts, carrying out performance analysis of 5G mechanisms.
  • Exploration and creation of novel methods and protocols.
  • Simulating extensive 5G network placements.

Comparative Outline

Conclusion

On the basis of your research or project objective and the particular requirements, the appropriate 5G UE simulator has to be chosen. In terms of various applications areas, suggestions are offered in a concise manner: 

• For Academic Research and Advancement: Regarding adaptability, robust community assistance, and in-depth modeling abilities, ns-3 or OMNeT++ with Simu5G are considered as an efficient selection.
• For Algorithm Creation and Prototyping: To create and test novel methods, MATLAB with the 5G Toolbox is highly appropriate. It also provides more precise simulations.
• For Network Planning and Enhancement: Specifically for in-depth cell planning and network enhancement, Atoll offers a wide range of tools. For business-based applications, it is more suitable.
• For Extensive Network Simulations: Actual-time simulation abilities are provided by QualNet in an efficient manner. For the simulation of extensive network placements, it is examined as highly ideal.

How to generate 5G waveform in Matlab?

Generating 5G waveform with the support of MATLAB is examined as a significant as well as intriguing process. Several guidelines have to be followed to carry out this process effectively. The following is a procedural instruction on how to create a 5G waveform using MATLAB tool:  

Step 1: Install the 5G Toolbox

Initially, make sure that you have installed the 5G Toolbox on your system. If you don’t have this Toolbox previously, acquire it from MathWorks or install it via MATLAB Add-On Explorer.  

Step 2: Configure the Carrier Configuration

The Bandwidth parts (BWPs) and the numerology utilized in the waveform is defined in the carrier configuration. 

% Carrier configuration

carrier = nrCarrierConfig;

carrier.NSizeGrid = 52;  % Bandwidth in terms of number of resource blocks

carrier.SubcarrierSpacing = 30;  % Subcarrier spacing in kHz

Step 3: Set Up Bandwidth Parts (BWPs)

The bandwidth parts must be specified, that indicate the employed original bandwidth in waveform.

% BWP configuration

bwp = nrWavegenBWPConfig;

bwp.SubcarrierSpacing = 30;  % Subcarrier spacing in kHz

bwp.CyclicPrefix = ‘Normal’;

bwp.NSizeBWP = 52;  % Bandwidth part size in terms of resource blocks

Step 4: Configure CORESET and PDCCH

The control area in the 5G NR frame is specified in the configurations of PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) and CORESET (Control Resource Set).

% CORESET configuration

coreset = nrCORESETConfig;

coreset.Duration = 1;  % Duration in symbols

coreset.FrequencyResources = ones(1,6);  % Frequency resources allocation

% PDCCH configuration

pdcch = nrPDCCHConfig;

pdcch.CORESET = coreset;

pdcch.SearchSpace = nrSearchSpaceConfig;

Step 5: Set Up PDSCH

The user data are held by the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

% PDSCH configuration

pdsch = nrPDSCHConfig;

pdsch.Modulation = ‘QPSK’;  % Modulation scheme

pdsch.NumLayers = 1;  % Number of transmission layers

pdsch.NID = 1;  % Scrambling identity

pdsch.RNTI = 1;  % Radio Network Temporary Identifier

pdsch.PRBSet = 0:carrier.NSizeGrid-1;  % PRB allocation

Step 6: Create the Waveform

Create the 5G waveform in terms of the arrangements through the utilization of nrWaveformGenerator function.

% Waveform configuration

waveconfig = nrWavegenConfig;

waveconfig.Carriers = carrier;

waveconfig.BandwidthParts = bwp;

waveconfig.PDCCH = pdcch;

waveconfig.PDSCH = pdsch;

% Generate waveform

[waveform, info] = nrWaveformGenerator(waveconfig);

% Display waveform details

disp(info);

Step 7: Visualize the Waveform

In the frequency and time domains, the created waveform has to be visualized. 

% Time domain plot

figure;

plot(abs(waveform));

title(‘5G NR Waveform – Time Domain’);

xlabel(‘Sample’);

ylabel(‘Amplitude’);

% Frequency domain plot

figure;

NFFT = 1024;

freqDomain = 20*log10(abs(fftshift(fft(waveform, NFFT))));

f = linspace(-0.5, 0.5, NFFT) * waveconfig.SampleRate;

plot(f/1e6, freqDomain);

title(‘5G NR Waveform – Frequency Domain’);

xlabel(‘Frequency (MHz)’);

ylabel(‘Magnitude (dB)’);

Instance of the Whole MATLAB Script

Consider the following instance of whole MATLAB script, which depicts the integration of all the procedures that are specified above:

% Carrier configuration

carrier = nrCarrierConfig;

carrier.NSizeGrid = 52;  % Bandwidth in terms of number of resource blocks

carrier.SubcarrierSpacing = 30;  % Subcarrier spacing in kHz

% BWP configuration

bwp = nrWavegenBWPConfig;

bwp.SubcarrierSpacing = 30;  % Subcarrier spacing in kHz

bwp.CyclicPrefix = ‘Normal’;

bwp.NSizeBWP = 52;  % Bandwidth part size in terms of resource blocks

% CORESET configuration

coreset = nrCORESETConfig;

coreset.Duration = 1;  % Duration in symbols

coreset.FrequencyResources = ones(1,6);  % Frequency resources allocation

% PDCCH configuration

pdcch = nrPDCCHConfig;

pdcch.CORESET = coreset;

pdcch.SearchSpace = nrSearchSpaceConfig;

% PDSCH configuration

pdsch = nrPDSCHConfig;

pdsch.Modulation = ‘QPSK’;  % Modulation scheme

pdsch.NumLayers = 1;  % Number of transmission layers

pdsch.NID = 1;  % Scrambling identity

pdsch.RNTI = 1;  % Radio Network Temporary Identifier

pdsch.PRBSet = 0:carrier.NSizeGrid-1;  % PRB allocation

% Waveform configuration

waveconfig = nrWavegenConfig;

waveconfig.Carriers = carrier;

waveconfig.BandwidthParts = bwp;

waveconfig.PDCCH = pdcch;

waveconfig.PDSCH = pdsch;

% Generate waveform

[waveform, info] = nrWaveformGenerator(waveconfig);

% Display waveform details

disp(info);

% Time domain plot

figure;

plot(abs(waveform));

title(‘5G NR Waveform – Time Domain’);

xlabel(‘Sample’);

ylabel(‘Amplitude’);

% Frequency domain plot

figure;

NFFT = 1024;

freqDomain = 20*log10(abs(fftshift(fft(waveform, NFFT))));

f = linspace(-0.5, 0.5, NFFT) * waveconfig.SampleRate;

plot(f/1e6, freqDomain);

title(‘5G NR Waveform – Frequency Domain’);

xlabel(‘Frequency (MHz)’);

ylabel(‘Magnitude (dB)’);