# ROS-NetSim: A Framework for the Integration of Robotic and Network Simulators

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2101.10113 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2101.10113/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 25 Jan 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [A Framework for Real-World Multi-Robot Systems Running Decentralized GNN-Based Policies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2111.01777/) (2021)
- [The Holy Grail of Multi-Robot Planning: Learning to Generate Online-Scalable Solutions from Offline-Optimal Experts](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.12254/) (2021)
- [Communication- and Computation-Efficient Distributed Submodular Optimization in Robot Mesh Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.10382/) (2024)
- [Network-in-the-Loop at Scale: GPU-Batched 5G Simulation for Massively Parallel Robot Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2610.02370/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Multi-agent systems play an important role in modern robotics. Due to the nature of these systems, coordination among agents via communication is frequently necessary. Indeed, Perception-Action-Communication (PAC) loops, or Perception-Action loops closed over a communication channel, are a critical component of multi-robot systems. However, we lack appropriate tools for simulating PAC loops. To that end, in this paper, we introduce ROS-NetSim, a ROS package that acts as an interface between robotic and network simulators. With ROS-NetSim, we can attain high-fidelity representations of both robotic and network interactions by accurately simulating the PAC loop. Our proposed approach is lightweight, modular and adaptive. Furthermore, it can be used with many available network and physics simulators by making use of our proposed interface. In summary, ROS-NetSim is (i) Transparent to the ROS target application, (ii) Agnostic to the specific network and physics simulator being used, and (iii) Tunable in fidelity and complexity. As part of our contribution, we have made available an open-source implementation of ROS-NetSim to the community.