GWireless Networks Prototyping

1 MOTIVATION Driven by novel 5G use cases like ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) and massive machine-type communication (mMTC), as well as the strife for higher data rates in enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), researchers and engineers evaluate the applicability of new concepts and technologies for future wireless communication systems. Figure 1 provides an overview of the typical life cycle for such a development process. In the beginning, researchers develop a vast number of new ideas. The most promising proposals are then evaluated with the help of extensive software simulations. The network simulator ns-3 [1] is a very well established tool in this area. One important purpose of the simulations is to guide a downselection of concepts and technologies, which are worth spending the e ort of implementation on hardware-accellerated software de ned radio (SDR) platforms. This step is supported by IP like the NI LTE Application Framework [2]. The evaluation of algorithms and compoments in practice and in real-time then allows to identify useful technology to be further evaluated in testbeds can provide end-to-end connectivity. We are proposing a platform that allows make the next step and engage in this stage of the development process. New concepts and technologies that have been proven to work in practice will ultimately nd their way into new standards and lastly, industry will adopt them in future products. The presented system combines an open-source LTE stack and core network, i.e., the LTE EPC Network Simulator (LENA) model in network simulator ns-3, with an FPGA-based real-time implementation of LTE Layer 1, i.e., the NI LTE Application Framework. The resulting platform is a building block for testbeds which assist the design of 5G radio interface and network architecture. It facillitates the prototyping of end-to-end applications, that include