# Broadband Power Line Communication for Integration of Energy Sensors within a Smart City Ecosystem
## 2 State of the Art
### Related Works
#### 2.3.1 Simulation in General  
The authors of [40] understand the need for using simulators in the area of communication technologies. They discuss and compare the routing protocols AODV (Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector) and DSDV (Destination-Sequenced Distance-Vector Routing) included in simulation tools NS-2 and NS-3. Their focus is on Mobile Ad-hoc NETworks (MANET) [41] and their simulated performance with QoS (Quality of service) parameters such as throughput, delay and Packed Delivery Ratio (PDR). Unlike the PLC technology, MANET uses a wireless medium, but both are influenced by common parameters like signal strength, transmission power, background noise, etc. In both cases the QoS parameters are important, and especially the throughput can be considered as the main parameter examined in simulations. Paper [42] considers heterogeneous communication channels in designed networks based on PLC and RF. The use of the mesh mode is the most relevant for the design of heterogeneous networks. Similarly to MANET networks, the AODV routing protocol is described in the G3-PLC standard. However, the focus of this article is based on the fact that the AODV protocol was created primarily for wireless networks. Therefore, the G3-PLC standard recommends the LOADng protocol, which is based on the AODV protocol. In order to gain the opportunity to increase demonstrative effectiveness, cut the time used for algorithm debugging, and reduce development costs, the NS-3 environment was used for modelling of heterogeneous networks. The results show that the simulations allowed only superficial assessment of the network and the simulated infrastructure needs to be further refined. Refs. [40,43] compare features of simulators NS-2 and NS-3, where benefits and limitations are mentioned. In general, the NS-3 tool can be considered the most suitable, especially due to its scope and the possibility of developing extensions, which also provides its disadvantage in terms of implementation complexity. A number of papers have been published on NS-3. Ref. [44] presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of NS-3 simulator works published from 2009 to 2019. A total of 128 articles and studies are included. Basic analysis of available simulators is carried out. Criteria for the relevance of contributions and the main questions and answers defined. Only 10% of studies have been identified as effective case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of employing a network simulator in real applications. In terms of content type, applicative and conceptual studies are mostly represented. An overall higher number of NS-3 citations has been identified in recent years (since 2015), which suggests an increasing interest in and use of the simulator. Modelling and testing of the wireless mobile ad-hoc network MANET certainly contributes to this fact. Papers dealing with MANET simulations under NS-3 are [45, 46, 47]. Table 1 shows an overview of papers in which the potential and possibilities of the NS-3 simulator can be observed. Based on published facts on the network simulators, the NS-3 environment can be considered the most suitable of those commercially available for the purpose of simulating PLC systems. The above analysis shows the suitability of the use of the commercial NS-3 for future development of standardized PLC technologies in terms of communication protocols and building a virtual infrastructure to verify real scenarios of smart grid applications. The first step of every simulation is the implementation of a mathematical model based on the physical parameters of the technology. Ref. [48] explains the need for knowledge of the basic properties of the transmission channel in BPLC technology. The channel transfer function (CTF), levels of background noise and channel capacity are the most significant features to determine the channel model. This topic is also addressed in [49], which focuses mainly on impedance, line length and branches of underground cable PLC systems.