Description: Iquadrat has implemented two flexible 5G platforms for vertical applications, one for real-life experiments and one for learning/testing. In this way, we are capable of enabling the experimentation and validation of novel solutions for next generation 5G networks, while at the same time testing for cutting-edge technologies researched in our premises. Our testbeds implement an end-to-end SDN/NFV architecture, complete with the local cloud, SDN networking and LTE access. Our testbeds includes the following components:
• An Openstack-based Virtual Infrastructure Manager (VIM), that hosts all services related to Management, Orchestration and SDN control.
• Two Compute Nodes, or hypervisors, that host services in dedicated VMs.
• SDN access switches are employed in the Network layer, to interconnect the Compute Nodes and IIoT gateways.
• Software-Defined eNBs that implement LTE access

Features:

• SDN control for wired and wireless domain
• Software-based Enhanced Packet Core
• USRPs used for baseband processing in eNBs
• Centralized eNB scheduling and control
• Support for multiple vertical applications
• NFV for rapid design, deployment and management of networking services
• Zero-touch methods using pioneer machine learning methods for automation at the orchestration level (See more details here)

 

Hardware for experimental 5G platform: The 5G platform consists of the following hardware components:

• Intel Xeon Xeon CascadeLake Gold 6230R, 26 Cores
• 192 GB RAM (6*32GB)
• 2TB SATA3 SSD  + 2 TB NVMe SSDs
• Asus Dual GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER EVO
• 4-port 10 Gbps NIC
• Backplane for hot-swapping up to 4HDDs

Hardware for learning/testing 5G platform: The 5G platform consists of the following hardware components:

• 1 x PC with Intel i7 processor, 32GB RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD
• 3 x PC with Intel i5 processor, 16GB RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD
• 2 x mini PC Shuttle with Intel i5 processors and 16 GB RAM and 128GB NVMe SSD
• 1 x USRP B210 SDR
• 1 x LimeSDR SDR
• 2 x Duplexers
• 2 x Raspberry Pi