National Instruments (NI) has introduced a standalone version of its 5G New Radio (NR) test user equipment (UE) allowing network infrastructure companies to test, validate and assess performance of systems in real-world scenarios.
The 5G NR UE operates as a 3GPP Release 15 standard compliant UE, such as a modem or cell phone. The system can test 5G equipment such as macro cells, small cells, pico cells and femto cells.
Non-standalone (NSA) 5G NR is technology that runs on the current infrastructure used in the roll out of 4G networks, while standalone (SA) 5G networks are used to run exclusively for 5G technology. NSA has been the initial rollout of 5G technologies, but starting this year 5G NR SA networks will begin to enter the field.
Spirent Communications is partnering with NI to accelerate 5G NR technology and development is well underway in order to capture revenues in manufacturing, automotive, mobile gaming and more.
The NI 5G NR test UE evaluates performance conformance to the standard and interoperability for both SA and NSA 5G systems. NI claims its solution is the first all-in-one, software-upgradeable hardware to maximize cost efficiency and maintain robust functionality.
“The early 5G sub-6 GHz rollouts are a significant step toward realizing the benefits of 5G, but the faster data rates, higher reliability, and lower latency of SA 5G will deliver the promised transformational impact for enterprises and consumers,” said James Kimery, director of marketing of wireless research at National Instruments. “As we see the strain our current situation has put on our existing networks, implementing SA 5G is more important now than ever before.”
The test UE reduces development time and increases hardware investments with a system designed for lab benchmark tests and field tests. It also is a standard-compliant system in advance of commercial hardware and receives software upgrades as new standards are defined. Finally, with real-time analytics it evaluates link status and performance in real time while creating log files for offline analysis and debugging included Layer 1 visibility.
