5G New Radio (NR) and 5G Core (5GC) Network Test Solution

5G Core Network Emulation

Signaling and Traffic Emulation over 5G

MAPS™ 5GC Network emulator can emulate multiple UEs and elements such as UE+gNB, AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF, UDM, SMSF and EIR which form the 5G core network. The Emulator is designed to test 5G NR base stations (gNBs) and 5G Core Network Functions (NF) according to 3GPP standards. With the help of mobile phones, and other emulated wireless networks, the 5G Lab setup can be operated in real-time for making VoNR calls and for interworking with 4G, 3G, 2G , PSTN and VoIP networks. It includes ready-to-use scripts, as per IETF specification. Test scripts include general messaging and call flow scenarios for multimedia call session setup and control over IP networks.

GL’s End-to-End Wireless Network Emulation Test Suite provides you an advanced full-fledged “Live Network” at your company premises in any customized package to suit test requirements. The test suite provides reliable integrated solutions to vendors and service providers for emulation, monitoring, troubleshooting any wireless network, including, 5G, 4G, 3G, and 2G. All functionalities conform to industry standards.

GL’s MAPS™ supports emulation of 5GC network interfaces - N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N17, N20, N21, N22, N29, N51 and other GTP interfaces.

Supported procedures include both roaming and non-roaming, including interworking between 5GS (NG RAN +5GC) and EPS (4G RAN+EPC), mobility within 5GS, QoS, policy control and charging, authentication and in general 5G System-wide features such as SMS, Location Services, Emergency Services.

Multi-User, Browser-Based Platform for 5G Functions

MAPS™ is enhanced to support Linux® environments, offering users expanded deployment options. With MAPS™ web interface, the 5G emulation and testing tools are accessible on Linux® web servers, making it more adaptable to varied network infrastructure and development needs. The platform includes a user-friendly, multi-user interface that supports multi-location access, enabling easy configuration of test parameters from anywhere and on any device.

The Need for Comprehensive 5G Testing

The 5G technology standard, as defined by 3GPP, has brought a new radio access technology and a 5G Core network referred to as 5GC. With 5G, it is possible to integrate elements of different generations in Standalone (SA) and Non-standalone (NSA) configurations. However, deploying high-quality voice, video, and data services over 5G poses significant challenges for service providers, including backward compatibility, inter-operability, and high-quality requirements. Therefore, rigorous 5G network testing and troubleshooting are essential for ensuring smooth operations.

5G network testing involves the simulation of control plane signaling with network traffic and data traffic ensure that the network's functionalities and performance meet the expected standards. GL's comprehensive Signaling and Traffic Emulation 5G test equipment suite, commonly referred to as MAPS™, provides a unique programmable, scriptable framework for 5G device testing, including 5G simulation and 5G Core network testing.

5G Network Architecture and Components

In the End-to-End 5G network architecture, the network comprises various components, including the 5G Access Network (gNB), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Session Management Function (SMF), Short Message Service Function (SMSF), Equipment Identity Register (EIR), and User Plane Function (UPF) connected to Data Server or Application Functions, and to EPC/IMS core for interoperability. All these underlying entities of the core network can be accurately tested for functionalities and performance with MAPS™ 5G test equipment suite.

With the capability of supporting enormous services and applications, massive connections, and new channel coding schemes at very high bandwidth, 5G network testing and troubleshooting are vital for ensuring the smooth operations of 5G networks. The use of a comprehensive 5G test equipment suite like MAPS™ is crucial for performing cross-domain testing, 5G Emulation, and 5G analysis using GL's PacketScan™ application leading to the successful transition to new technology such as 5G.

Optimizing 5G Testing with Remote Operation and Automation

MAPS™ 5G emulators have been enhanced to support remote operation, automation, and multi-site connectivity through Python Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Users can seamlessly control the MAPS™ server to configure tests, emulate calls, and exercise fine control over each call to perform various traffic actions, such as playback of a pre-recorded voice file, recording incoming traffic to a file, and transmitting and detecting digits or tones. Users can also generate and receive calls through commands. This client application is distributed along with the MAPS™ server application.

GL’s MAPS™ emulation for 5G network interfaces -

• MAPS™ N1 N2 Interface Emulator - gNodeB (also called Next Generation RAN), and AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) nodes
• MAPS™ N4 Interface Emulator - Session Management Function (SMF) and User Plane Function (UPF) elements
• MAPS™ N8 Interface Emulator - Unified Data Management (UDM) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)
• MAPS™ N10 Interface Emulator - Unified Data Management (UDM) and Session Management Function (SMF)
• MAPS™ N11 Interface Emulator - Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Session Management Function (SMF)
• MAPS™ N12 Interface Emulator - Authentication Server Function (AUSF) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)
• MAPS™ N13 Interface Emulator - Authentication Server Function (AUSF) and User Data Management (UDM)
• MAPS™ N17 Interface Emulator - Equipment Identity Register (EIR) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)
• MAPS™ N20 Interface Emulator - Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Short Message Service Function (SMSF)
• MAPS™ N21 Interface Emulator - Unified Data Management (UDM) and Short Message Service Function (SMSF)
• MAPS™ N22 Interface Emulator - Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF)
• MAPS™ N29 Interface Emulator - Network Exposure Function (NEF) and Session Management Function (SMF)
• MAPS™ N51 Interface Emulator - Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Network Exposure Function (NEF)

Emulate Core Network Functions

• End-to-End 5G Network Emulation
• Emulates 5G - UE+gNB, AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF, UDM, SMSF and EIR
• Feature and Functional Testing
• Performance Testing
• Inter-Operability Testing
• Migration Testing
• Advanced Voice Feature Testing - IVR, Voice Recognition, Speech-to-Text

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5G Protocol Analysis

GL’s PacketScan™ 5G protocol analyzer supports monitoring of 5G networks. It captures, segregates, monitors, and collects statistics on all calls over N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12 and N13 interfaces of the 5G network. GL's 5G Protocol Analyzer is an optional module (PKV112) available within PacketScan™ on purchase of additional licensing.

GL’s Monitoring Probes for 5G Wireless Networks capture CDRs, detect fraudulent activities, alert on critical parameters, measure KPIs, and performance statistics.

Performance based on Massive UEs, GTP Traffic and Voice Quality Metrics

• Emulate Massive UEs (up to 64,000) with Voice Traffic
• Emulate User-plane GTP traffic at high line rates (up to 40 Gbps)
• Assess Voice Quality (eModel, PESQ, POLQA)

Monitoring Core Network

• Voice Quality, Data Retention, Lawful Interception, Fraud Detection
• Record thousands of Voice Calls - Filter & Record Only Calls-Of-Interest
• Capture up to 30,000 Simultaneous Voice Calls