5G Testing Companies
Open Radio Access Networks (OpenRAN) architecture enables telecom operators to build the fifth-generation cellular networks (5G) by integrating vendor-neutral software and hardware components. But the integration of vendor-neutral software and hardware components makes it essential for telecom companies to evaluate the functionality and performance of 5G networks. The telcos need new-generation solutions and tools to address various challenges in 5G network testing.
Likewise, the absence of live 5G networks makes it difficult for 5G devices to evaluate the user experience delivered by 5G devices. The device manufacturers need sophisticated tools and solutions to evaluate the user experience delivered by 5G devices under varying user conditions. Many companies and startups have been helping companies to test 5G networks and devices by providing innovative 5G testing tools. These tools are designed with out-of-box features to facilitate 5G deployment by addressing many challenges in 5G testing.
Companies and Startups that Offer Innovative 5G Testing Tools and Solutions
The end-to-end Wireless Network Simulation Test Suites is developed by GL Communications based on the MAPS™ Platform framework architecture. The test suites enable enterprises to set up a live and on-site 5G network in their own premises. The users can leverage the test suite to simulate key elements of a 5G wireless network infrastructure using ready-to-use test beds. The test suite is designed with features to facilitate simulation, monitoring, and troubleshooting both core elements and traffic types of 5G networks.
Simnovus is one of the 5G testing companies that provide tools to facilitate both 5G device testing and 5G network testing. The telecom operators can use Simnovus’ Simnovator to validate base stations by creating a sophisticated UE simulator based on Intel x86 based commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware. Simnovator is designed with features to simulate complex and realistic traffic patterns while being fully interoperable with both simulated and real 5G networks.
At the same time, the device manufacturers can use Simnovus’ Callbox to evaluate a variety of 5G mobile devices and systems by getting an operational 5G network emulator. The network emulator developed based on Intel x86 commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware supports both 5G standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) modes. Also, the users can integrate Callbox with IMS to evaluate voice service on both NR and LTE.
Polaris Networks has designed the NetTest 5G Network Emulator with features to simulate key elements of 5G networks — 5G devices, 5G base stations, and 5G core. The test automation tool implements network protocols and functions according to the 3GPP specifications. Hence, it becomes easier for users to simulate various network procedures and operations in the lab.
Also, the standard-based implementation helps users to replace the emulated network elements with production network elements without putting extra time and effort. The enterprises can use NetTest 5G Network Emulator to simulate normal, abnormal, and negative behavior of 5G networks. The 5G testing solutions facilitate 5G testing automation by featuring a graphical user interface (GUI) and providing application programming interfaces (APIs).
The Pennsylvania-based company has over 60 strategic sales locations across the globe. In addition to providing a variety of engineering simulations, Ansys offers simulation solutions for 5G networks and devices. The 5G simulation solutions simulate 5G radio and related technologies by providing semiconductors, electromagnetic, electronics cooling, and mechanical analysis tools. The users also have the option to facilitate collaboration between 5G network designers and engineers by deploying the solution across multiple computing platforms.
The 5G device test solutions provided by Keysight Technologies enables device manufactures to validate the entire life cycle of 5G devices. These test solutions are designed with features to meet the varying needs of device manufacturers, network operators, and chipset vendors. They further boost 5G device testing by covering many test domains, including functional and performance, protocol, RF, non-signaling calibration and verification. Keysight Technologies allows users to avail of a variety of products, solutions, accessories, and document libraries according to their precise 5G device testing requirements and goals.
The 5G testing solutions provided by Viavi Solution help enterprises to validate, verify, and analyze the performance and capability of 5G networks. The enterprises can use the lab-based network testing solutions to evaluate key elements of 5G networks without investing extra resources. They can test 5G networks in real-time user environments by scaling both devices and traffic.
Also, they can use the solutions to gain visibility into complex 5G networks using 5G assurance and location intelligence. The enterprises have the option to simplify field testing of 5G networks by integrating the solutions with the 5G field testing tools provided by Viavi.
NetSim — the 5G NR simulation tool developed by Tetcos — is currently used by over 400 organizations. The universities and academic institutions use NetSim to perform innovation and R&D in 5G NR. At the same time, telecom operators use NetSim to accelerate 5G deployment by conducting a variety of simulation studies. The 5G testing solution is designed with features to simulate 5G networks end-to-end. Also, it comes with 5G library interfaces and a GUI-based interface, along with supporting packet-level simulation and standalone architecture.
Rebaca helps enterprises to validate 5G network functions by providing a cloud-native network test tool — ABot. The users can access ABot over the internet to validate the 5G network based on 3GPP specifications. ABot simplified functional, performance, and interoperability benchmark testing by providing a slew of canned test templates.
The test engineers can use the canned test templates to simulate 5G network functions in a virtualized and bare-metal environment. They also have the option to control and customize the cloud-based test environment to produce precise and reliable test results by combining logs, events, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
While discussing 5G deployment, we often highlight the initiatives taken, partnerships formed, and investments made by leading telecom operators. But the innovative 5G testing tools and solutions provided by these companies and startups contribute hugely towards mass-scale deployment of the fifth-generation cellular networks. The innovative tools and solutions accelerate 5G implementation by addressing many challenges in 5G network testing and 5G device testing.
