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- Accuver Airspace Network Test Solution (Korean case study)
- Jessica Jiyung OhAirspace Network in 5G The development of a unified network infrastructure integrating Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) platforms within the scope of 5G and future 6G technology is currently in progress. Standardization organizations like 3GPP are actively working on defining communication standards specifically tailored for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Efficient performance testing and optimization of airspace networks are crucial to ensure seamless integration of communication services with UAV operations.The implementation of an airspace network in 5G technology presents unique considerations and challenges compared to traditional terrestrial networks Weak signal power from base stations to UAVs:Terrestrial networks are primarily optimized for User Equipment (UE) operating at heights ranging from 1 to 2 meters above ground level (AGL). Radio waves propagating skywards experience a decrease in signal strength compared to the ground. Establishing communication with UAVs may require the use of supplementary base stations or antenna uptilting techniques.Impact of UAV communication on ground users:Radio waves emitted by UAVs can extend to distant areas and potentially interfere with nearby base stations, smartphones, and other devices. Ensuring minimal interference and maintaining the quality of service for ground users is a critical challenge.New use cases :With the ongoing deployment of NR (New Radio) mobile networks, novel use cases will emerge as UAVs enter the market and leverage the ultra-high speed, large-capacity, ultra-reliable, low-latency communications, and multiple simultaneous connection features offered by NR.Overcoming these challenges requires optimizing signal strength for UAVs, mitigating interference with ground users, and exploring new use cases enabled by the capabilities of NR. Efforts by standardization organizations and the industry as a whole aim to address these challenges and pave the way for seamless integration of airspace networks within the 5G ecosystem.South Korea Usecase UAM Grand Challenge Korea The deployment and optimization of 5G airspace networks in Korea are driven by the objective of facilitating the commercialization of Urban Air Mobility services by 2025. To ensure a reliable and robust network infrastructure at altitudes ranging from 300 meters to 600 meters above the ground, Korean operators are employing dedicated gNBs and implementing antenna tilting and beam pattern optimization techniques. These strategies aim to provide seamless connectivity, enhanced signal strength, and reduced latency for UAM operations, thus supporting the realization of a safe and efficient urban air transportation ecosystem.Accuver Airspace Network Test Solution XCAL-Air XCAL-Air is an advanced and comprehensive package specifically developed for measuring and analyzing the performance of airspace networks. It is designed to effectively identify and rectify coverage gaps to ensure optimal network performance in airspace environments. This technologically advanced solution incorporates various network equipment, including spectrum analyzers, scanners, and mobile network measurement devices. It offers a comprehensive set of features to enable efficient network verification in airspace environments.[ Key Features of XCAL-Air ]Airspace Network Performance Measurement:XCAL-Air provides a range of powerful measurement capabilities to assess the performance of airspace networks.It captures and analyzes various network parameters such as signal strength, signal quality, throughput, latency, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) in real-time.These measurements help in evaluating the network\'s coverage, capacity, and overall performance, enabling operators to identify areas of improvement.Integration with XCAL-Manager Air:The measured data collected by XCAL-Air is seamlessly transferred to XCAL-Manager Air for further analysis and evaluation.XCAL-Manager Air is a centralized management platform equipped with advanced analytics tools, allowing for in-depth assessment of airspace network performance.Accurate Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information is associated with the measured data, facilitating precise location-based analysis of airspace network performance.[ Benefits of XCAL-Air ]Comprehensive Performance Analysis: XCAL-Air provides a comprehensive set of measurements, enabling operators to gain valuable insights into the performance of airspace networks.Coverage Gap Identification: By analyzing the collected data, XCAL-Air identifies coverage gaps and areas with suboptimal network performance, allowing operators to take corrective actions.Real-Time Monitoring on 3D Map: The solution offers real-time monitoring capabilities, providing operators with immediate visibility into network performance and enabling proactive troubleshooting.Data-Driven Decision Making: XCAL-Air\'s integration with XCAL-Manager Air enables operators to perform advanced analytics and make data-driven decisions for optimizing airspace network performance.XCAL-Manager Air The XCAL-Air Ground Management System comprises two key components: XCAL-Manager Air and DROW4D. These components work in tandem to control and schedule remote tests for XCAL-Air, a specialized network testing tool designed for airspace networks. The XCAL-Air ground management system ensures efficient management, analysis, and verification of network performance.XCAL-Manager Air serves as the central control system for managing and scheduling remote tests conducted by XCAL-Air drones. It facilitates the planning and scheduling of network performance measurements in the air, based on predefined test scenarios. XCAL-Manager Air collects and analyzes the test results generated by XCAL-Air, providing valuable insights into network performance. DROW4D is an integral part of the XCAL-Air ground management system, specifically designed to control and manage XCAL-Air drones. It enables the autonomous operation of multiple drones, ensuring coordinated and synchronized flights for efficient network testing.DROW4D assigns missions to the drones based on the test scenarios set in XCAL-Manager Air, pre-configures flight routes, and controls the drones during the testing process.Key Features of the XCAL-Air Ground Management System:Real-time Network Performance Monitoring on 3D Map:The measured key performance indicators (KPIs) obtained from the network tests are displayed on a 3D map, providing a visual representation of network performance.This visualization aids in identifying coverage gaps and areas requiring optimization or further investigation.Autonomous Drone Control:DROW4D enables autonomous operation of XCAL-Air drones, leveraging real-time wireless network environment data for precise aircraft control.Advanced drone control capabilities, including fail-safe return, extended measurement functionality, and mission reconfiguration in response to specific wireless network events, are facilitated by the DROW4D system. The XCAL-Air and XCAL-Manager Air packages represent a robust and all-encompassing solution for measuring and analyzing the performance of airspace networks. With their powerful capabilities, operators gain the ability to identify coverage gaps, obtain precise measurements, and efficiently manage remote tests while analyzing test results. Moreover, the visual representation of network performance on a 3D map adds an extra layer of insight and understanding. By leveraging these comprehensive packages, operators can optimize network performance, enhance coverage, and deliver a seamless and dependable communication experience in airspace environments.
Jun 15, 2023
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- Unattended, Remote-controlled Measurements Solution in 5G Private Network
- by Jaechul Yoon[Testing Challenges in 5G Networks: Complexity and Continuous Quality Monitoring] 5G NR (New Radio) technology is a sophisticated network technology that adapts to its surroundings. Unlike previous technologies, 5G NR utilizes beamforming and intelligent adjustments based on device location and base station conditions. This dynamic nature of 5G NR poses challenges for traditional monitoring systems, as variations in the environment impact network performance. Traditional field tests using vehicle-mounted equipment were considered sufficient in the past, but the complexity of 5G NR requires continuous quality monitoring. However, existing solutions like Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) face limitations such as poor battery efficiency and inaccurate location data. To address these shortcomings, there is a growing demand for an advanced monitoring system that provides real-time insights into 5G NR network performance. By offering accurate and efficient monitoring capabilities, operators can effectively manage user experience and ensure optimal performance of their 5G NR networks.[Streamlining 5G Base Station Monitoring: Lessons from the Las Vegas Roll Out Trial] Accuver installed the XCAL-Ranger, an unattended base station monitoring solution, during the Roll Out Trial in Las Vegas. This deployment was crucial due to intermittent shutdowns caused by the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture of 5G Standalone (SA) base stations.Based on our extensive Roll-out experience in India, Malaysia, USA, Mexico, and Canada, we discovered the importance of establishing a one-to-one correspondence between the base station and monitoring device. This ensures accurate identification and monitoring, even with adjacent stations.We also developed flexible functionality for configuring measurement intervals and scenarios, enabling tailored monitoring requirements with intervals ranging from 10 minutes to 2 hours.Additionally, we incorporated a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) detection function into our base station monitoring equipment. This function identifies various failure indicators such as Poor SS-RSRP, Poor SS-SINR, Low Throughput, Registration Failure, Overall RACH Failure, RRC Connection Setup Failure, RRC Drop, ENDC Setup LTE to 5G Failure, and ENDC Release 5G to LTE Failure.By identifying these failure events, operators gain insights into the causes impacting network performance, allowing them to take corrective measures for optimal operational efficiency. [Efficient Management and Analysis of High-Volume Measurement Data in Base Station Monitoring] When measuring with the shortest cycle, a total of 144 measurement data are generated per day. For instance, if there are 100 base stations being monitored, this results in 14,400 measurements. Similarly, with 1,000 base stations, the number of measurements increases to 144,000, all of which are uploaded to the server. To handle this large volume of data efficiently, an automated classification system based on base stations is implemented. Whenever an event occurs, the system automatically generates a report by comparing it with previous successful cases. Additionally, base stations are displayed on a map, visually representing their states with color-coded indications, enabling operators to quickly locate them. Operators can either search for specific base stations on the map or conveniently access event results from a list. For in-depth analysis of specific events, XCAL-Manager offers a one-click feature to generate graphs and tables. This allows operators to conduct detailed analysis while simultaneously viewing signaling messages in millisecond units, facilitating thorough examination of the event. [5G NR Launch with XCAL-Manager: Automated Detection, Classification, and Analysis] XCAL-Manager generates an automated report by comparing success test results obtained shortly before the occurrence of an event. It gathers base station configuration data through SIB and MIB, enabling quick problem detection and analysis by comparing successful and failed settings. Additionally, RF quality information for each base station is monitored in 10-minute intervals via a dashboard, ensuring a successful 5G NR launch and facilitating efficient problem detection and change analysis. Take your 5G NR implementation to new heights with XCAL-Manager and XCAL-Ranger, the ultimate solution for driving excellence in wireless networks. ▶Watch XCAL-Ranger video ▶Get more information for XCAL-Ranger
Jun 13, 2023
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- URLLC in 5G Technology
- Jessica Jiyung Oh[URLLC in 5G Technology] Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) is a critical feature of 5G networks that provides fast, reliable, and low-latency communication links between devices. URLLC enables ultra-reliable and low-latency communication for a wide range of applications, including mission-critical and latency-sensitive applications, industrial automation, smart city applications, public safety, and gaming. This technology is expected to enable new innovative services and applications, promoting technological innovation in various industries and providing better user experiences. [VR and URLLC performance] VR plays a decisive role in connecting most of these URLLC applications to user experience. VR applications require reliable, low-latency communication to deliver a high-quality experience. If there is too much latency between the VR headset and the device generating the VR environment, the user may experience a lag or delay in their movements, breaking the sense of immersion and ruining the experience. Additionally, URLLC technology can benefit from VR applications in several ways, such as remote training, where VR can simulate complex situations requiring real-time responses, allowing trainees to practice and refine their skills in a safe, controlled environment. Combining AR (Augmented Reality) technology and VR technology, new technologies that fuse the real world and the virtual world are expected to be developed, allowing users to experience both at the same time. The combination of URLLC and VR has the potential to drive innovation in a wide range of industries, from healthcare to manufacturing, by enabling new types of applications that require low latency, high reliability, and immersive experiences. [How to measure and validate latency in VR using Accuver VR solution] Latency and delay are critical factors in URLLC, ensuring reliable and timely communication, and must be kept as low as possible to meet the stringent requirements of URLLC. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination, while delay includes the additional time spent waiting in buffers or queues along the way. Both latency and delay can occur anywhere on the device, network, system, and application level. [AEGIS VR] AEGIS VR, provided by Accuver, offers users a solution to measure and display URLLC performance of VR applications, measuring packet transit time between nodes or systems, as well as overall delay. It intuitively displays the delay measured while using the VR application in real time on the graph. [VR Traffic and Delay Monitoring]▶Watch video AEGIS VR logs and analyzes each VR data session in detail, identifying the nodes or channels that cause critical delays. It also analyzes QoS and QoE, including packet loss and jitter. In the Packet Viewer, users can view network monitoring messages, data packets, and more, and analyze the packet flow for any specific time period using XCAL. [Packet Viewer] Auto Report provides users with the overall UL/DL delay results for a specific session. [Auto Report]▶Watch video [AEGIS VR verifying sectional and end to end URLLC Performance] Latency can manifest at various points in the end-to-end communication process, including the device, Radio Access Network (RAN), core network, and content server in both wired and wireless environments. To identify and rectify latency-related issues, it is necessary to perform a comprehensive analysis of each of these sections by capturing packets and examining their characteristics. This process helps to pinpoint the root cause of the latency and take appropriate corrective measures to optimize network performance.AEGIS VR is equipped with sophisticated features for measuring delays and analyzing packets across various segments of the communication process, spanning from the end device to the wireless network and the core network. The solution enables independent measurement and analysis of latency in diverse devices such as mobile devices, VR equipment, and PCs, across different wireless network segments, including 4G, 5G, and WLAN, as well as wired network sections that traverse from the core network to the contents server. The advanced capabilities of AEGIS VR facilitate a comprehensive assessment of the end-to-end communication process, helping to detect and resolve latency-related issues with utmost precision and efficiency. Accuver\'s state-of-the-art solution, AEGIS VR, is a game-changer for customers seeking to verify the performance of their 5G systems. With AEGIS VR, you can meticulously evaluate the delay of your 5G system, section-by-section and overall, enabling early detection and remediation of issues that could impact 5G Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC). This cutting-edge technology empowers you to optimize your 5G network for maximum performance, ensuring seamless, uninterrupted connectivity and an exceptional user experience. Discover the transformative potential of 5G technology with Accuver\'s AEGIS VR.
Apr 16, 2023
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- Accuver 5G NR Lab automation solution
- ▶Watch video [What Complicates 5G Testing] 5G products and components necessitate testing throughout the entire ecosystem to ensure they meet the required standards and specifications. As new devices and vendors are introduced, and software upgrades and new standards are released, the number of conformance and interoperability test cases increases, making testing a complex and time-consuming process. In addition, conducting tests in a real-world environment is highly susceptible to outside interference, making it difficult to achieve repeatable and accurate results. Therefore, labs must conduct numerous test cases with varying levels of complexity to thoroughly evaluate the performance and compatibility of 5G products and components.For operators, testing is a resource-intensive and time-consuming task, requiring a significant investment of both time and financial resources. Nevertheless, thorough testing is crucial to ensure the success of 5G technology and its ability to meet the demands of today\'s data-driven world.[Accuver Lab Automation Solution]Accuver lab automation solution enhances the efficiency of laboratory hardware, software, and human resources by enabling automated and remote control of lab equipment from a distributed setup. This solution produces consistent and repeatable results, replicating a field radio environment within the lab. In combination with the XCAL series, this solution can scale up the test environment to support hundreds of User Equipments (UEs). This field-to-lab solution streamlines the testing process, improves accuracy, and enables faster feedback for optimization and troubleshooting, ultimately reducing the time and cost required for 5G device and network testing.This state-of-the-art solution comprises a channel emulator, shield box, multi UE test system, and test management software.[XCAT-MAIS] XCAT-MAIS is a leading air interface simulation solution that allows engineers to replicate realistic radio wave propagation in laboratory environments. Its system architecture is fully scalable and flexible, with individual phase and amplitude adjustment per path, replicating the wireless channel environment of UEs. XCAT-MAIS offers various real-world test scenarios such as fading, path loss, mobility, and M-MIMO simulations. The operator can simulate complex field tests in the lab using XCAT-MAIS.[ XCAT-Shield Box & XCAT-SmartShield] XCAT-SmartShield ensures that a single UE\'s RF environment remains precisely as specified by the Test Manager. XCAT-Shield Box is a cutting-edge shielding solution for multi-UEs’ OTA testing, featuring adjustable antenna positioning and polarization capabilities, and it\'s essential for conducting complex testing scenarios such as roaming, steering, and load balancing in multi-node networks.[XCAL-MTS]XCAL-MTS is a versatile, mobile-based network measurement and verification solution that supports a wide range of wireless technologies. It monitors and manages the status of a massive number of UEs\' ports, parameter tables, and call statistics. Depending on the scale and purpose of the test, MTS can be substituted with a combination of other XCAL Series products. [Test Manager] The Test Manager intelligently orchestrates all the test components and conducts scheduled tests, producing repeatable test results automatically and remotely from a distributed laboratory. The selected test scenario is automatically repeated to validate the system\'s performance. Once the test scenario is complete, the Report Generator in the Test Manager produces a Summary Report. More in-depth investigation of each test case can be conducted through a Detail Report.Accuver Lab automation solution is a reliable and robust testing platform that has been validated by top operators worldwide. It customizes the test environment to match the operator’s goals and offers top-notch technical assistance.
Apr 14, 2023
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- [Signals Flash] Super Bowl Bandwidth Capacity Scouting Report
- SRG(Signal Research Group) did this study with the support of Accuver Americas (XCAL5). They conducted a scouting report of available LTE and 5G capacity around the State Farm stadium in Glendale, AZ.Based on our tool box of drive test tools, we provide our estimate for the amount of LTE and 5G capacity each operator has, including the mix of low-band, mid-band and 5G mmWave capacity.
Feb 07, 2023
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- [Signals Flash] Stop the Presses, MU-MIMO
- SRG(Signal Research Group) did this study with the support of Accuver Americas (XCAL, XCAP and XCAL-Solo). They did some preliminary testing of MU-MIMO, based on testing that we did in the Verizon Band n77 network in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. Although the contents of this report do not reflect a full-fledged benchmark study, they do show that MU-MIMO is alive and well, and potentially heading to a 5G network near you soon.
Dec 16, 2022
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- [Signals Flash] 8-Layer 5G MU-MIMO
- SRG(Signal Research Group) did this study with the support of Accuver Americas (XCAL5 and XCAP). They just completed the industry\'s first independent benchmark study of 8-layer 5G MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO) in a commercial network (T-Mobile Band n41) while using a mix of commercial and precommercial devices.This report contains results and analysis from a single test that we conducted at the T-Mobile facilities in Irvine, CA prior to doing more extensive testing in a number of commercial cell sites.
Sep 28, 2022
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- 5G RAN technology trends and commercialization
- Research fellow Ji Seunghwan presented about 5G RAN technology trends and commercialization at Mobile Korea 2021 held 2021. 11. 26Please download the presentation from the attachment. Video can be found on below Link https://youtu.be/VGFTj_nxJzc
Feb 04, 2022
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- How to update your 5G base station without risk
- How to update your 5G base station without risk Just as telecom operators around the world built 4G networks in the LTE era, now telecommunication operators need to install numerous base stations to secure 5G coverage. However, since 5G, which has just started to deploy, is not yet technologically mature, risks and unintended costs may arise in 5G network operation. These risks can appear not only for telecom operators but also for 5G network equipment vendors. The newly developed in-LAB field-test technology is expected to dramatically reduce risks and costs by solving the problems faced by these MNOs and vendors. In today\'s information age, Telecommunication has never been so important as these days. Communication failure not only can cause inconvenience in daily life, but it is also a problem that can be life-threatening for someone, so MNOs around the world do their best to maintain a fast and seamless communication environment. However, 5G, which is still short in history, seems to require the continuous update of network equipment for a better communication environment. It would be nice if updates always had the positive effect of improving performance, but unfortunately, base station updates come with risks. Because the base station has a complex structure, a change in SW for any part may sometimes cause failure or performance degradation in unexpected features, and since radio waves are greatly affected by the external environment, the performance of even the same base station equipment depends on the installed environment. There are many difficulties in updating and these difficulties are also costly for MNOs and vendors.In-LAB field test is a solution that dramatically reduces risks by identifying side effects that may occur by SW change in the base station installed in the actual field in advance.Through in-LAB field test, users simulate the same environment as the field environment where the actual base station is installed in their LAB, so there is no need for experts to visit the area where the base station is installed, and the base station and UE after SW update in the in-LAB environment can measure the change in performance ofXCAT-MAIS is a product with an In-Lab Field test solution developed by Accuver. XCAT-MAIS is a solution that allows users to easily build a real wireless network environment in the LAB, identify various problems from the installation of 5G base stations to updates, and supplement them in advance. XCAT-MAIS allows users to simulate various conditions that appear in the real world in the laboratory environment. You can check the network status by moving the UE between different types of base stations, and check the network status at the mountain, entering an overpass, or entering a tunnel. Massive MIMO and beamforming functions, which are very important in 5G, can also be measured.The base station vendor can test the performance improvement and SW update of the base station by building the wireless network environment of the actual field in the LAB, and the MNO is able to test whether there is any side effect in the LAB environment before changing the base station setting of the field or proceeding with the SW update.XCAT-MAIS can be connected with multiple base stations, and it is also possible to compare the quality of base stations. The ability to compare base stations with different performances in various environments not only helps MNOs build 5G networks but also helps network equipment vendors to benchmark other companies\' equipment and their equipment to improve product performance.XCAT-MAIS can easily perform multiple types of complex tests, and MNOs can dramatically reduce time, resources, and risks as well.Accuver has a solution that encompasses not only XCAT-MAIS, but also 5G rollout, network optimization, automation, and core network analysis.Please check the link below for more informationhttp://www.accuver.com/sub/products/list.php?cat_no=1
Jun 17, 2021
