We have an operating 5G pilot testben in our lab.
An experimental 5G pilot network was created as part of the 5G VKE Smart Campus project. This is a small-size mobile network using radio frequencies provided for test purposes by the national authorities (NMHH), which contains all functions needed for a commercial deployment.
Our 5G pilot network built by the project served as a real test environment for the development made in the project. Besides, it can help establish further research cooperation with other industry partners. Such a cooperation enables other industries to get access to 5G experimental or test infrastructures and to get hands-on experience with 5G technology.
The 5G pilot network consists of the following main parts:
Core network core functions: this part of the network coordinates network resources and controls access to the network. This part of the network is basically composed of servers, on which server applications are installed, which are an integral part of the 5G network and which perform some of the sub-functions (HSS, CUDB: applications managing the parameters of devices and users that can be connected to the network; SAPC: managing the functions allowed for each device or user; MME, GW-C: functions that connect devices to the network and allocate resources).
Core network traffic transfer functions: this part of the network handles the transfer of data requested and transmitted by users to other networks (e.g. the internet). This part of the network is also essentially composed of servers on which server applications (GW-U, vRAN: packet forwarding applications) are installed to perform some of the sub-functions that are an integral part of the 5G network.
Core network network monitoring functions: this part of the network monitors the other parts and may contain additional services. This part of the network is also basically made up of servers, on which application servers are installed to perform some of the sub-functions (EEA, Cloud Manager, location application, etc.).
Transmission network: the infrastructure that carries data between the core network and the elements of the radio access network. This part of the network consists of elements implementing microwave radio links and other network elements (switch, router).
Radio access network: this part of the network is used to receive and transmit data traffic to and from end devices (e.g. telephones, other devices) using radio frequency signals. This part of the network is basically composed of antennas and radio signal processing components (radio unit, baseband unit) and some general purpose devices (switches).