Simulators and Emulators

In addition to the deployed elements of the cellular network, the infraestructure  offers a comprehensive 5G service platform designed for both external enterprises and internal research groups. This service provides access to a fully integrated 5G network architecture powered by open-source stacks and core network services that promote flexibility, cost reduction, and interoperability among various technology vendors.

OpenAir Interface and SRS 

Core Network Service Available:

Open5GS and OpenAirInterface Core: The platform provides access to both Open5GS and OpenAirInterface (OAI) core network implementations, each supporting critical 5G core functions such as Access and Mobility Management (AMF), Session Management (SMF), and User Plane Functions (UPF). These core solutions ensure complete end-to-end testing capabilities with seamless integration to the RAN and hardware components, facilitating interoperability testing and service differentiation.

CU/DU Solution Available:

OpenAirInterface and SRS: The platform supports both OpenAirInterface (OAI) and SRS as open-source implementations for the 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and core network elements. These stacks offer customizable configurations for testing and experimentation across the entire network architecture, from physical layer processing to control and management functions. They support MIMO, beamforming, network slicing, and spectrum sharing, making them ideal for advanced physical layer testing and real-time validation of 5G features.

Use Cases

This comprehensive platform can be utilized for a wide range of experimental and research purposes, including:

• End-to-End 5G Network Testing: With both OAI and SRS stacks available alongside the Open5GS and OAI core networks, the service allows full network validation under real-world conditions, enabling validation of performance in both FR1 and FR2 frequency bands and supporting multiple network slices for differentiated services testing.
• Beamforming Research: Leveraging the BEAM-5GBOX and USRP devices, researchers can explore 3D beamforming techniques, directional antenna testing, and evaluate real-time performance optimization for high-frequency mmWave bands under varying propagation conditions.
• Dynamic Beamforming Tracking Experiments: The platform is equipped for dynamic beamforming experiments, such as tracking fast-moving objects like vehicles. The beamforming system can adjust in real-time, ensuring signal stability and high-performance connectivity during motion, making it ideal for
  research in vehicular communication scenarios.
• Massive MIMO and Hybrid Beamforming Studies: The platform can be used to explore massive MIMO strategies, including hybrid analog-digital beamforming for enhanced spectral efficiency and capacity improvements.

Amarisoft

Another cellular network emulator, utilizing proprietary hardware and software, is available. It is capable of emulating a 4G or 5G core and is primarily used for IoT purposes using NR RedCap frequencies. However, it can also create cells operating in the FR1 and FR2 frequency bands. The components required to achieve this include:

• 5G RedCap UEs: these devices are intended as IoT devices connected to the previously mentioned equipment (AMARI Callbox Advanced) when the latter runs as gNB with RedCap. Various possible use cases can be enabled.

Use Cases

• Agricultural sensors (e.g., for continuous monitoring of soil and environmental parameters).
• Industrial sensors (e.g., pressure, movement, acceleration) and actuators.
• Video surveillance.
• Wearables (e.g., smart watches, medical devices, AR/VR glasses...).