Amitec's Next Generation Mobile Networks Lab

 

World’s most advanced 4G/LTE lab for learning the current and future mobile communication networks. This next generation lab has been designed for colleges, universities, research and development labs and for anyone eager to understand the complexities of next generation of networks.

Comprehensive Solution

The Amitec MCL04 is the most advanced and unique solution for training, education and research in areas related to latest and next generation of mobile networks in 4G/LTE. It intended for lab use and is ideal for colleges, universities, training institutes and network testing labs. The system allows the user to replicate all the components of a complete LTE mobile cellular network. The students and researchers have complete control over Enodeb, EPC and as well as user equipment.

In addition to emulating a user equipment, the system also allows the user to connect a standard LTE mobile phone directly with the network formed in lab.The lab is complete with latest generation of radio based Enodeb and UE along with EPC as well as multi band LTE cellular phones and backhaul radio.

 

 

Real-time Interface

  • Setup a real-time 4G LTE Mobile Communication Network emulating a practical network
  • Emulate a working LTE network in any band on TDD or FDD
  • Start from the basics of modern mobile communication to advanced components with in-depth control over all interfaces
  • Comprehensive understanding of User Equipment, enodeB, EPC, MME, SGW, PGW, IMS and various interfaces
  • Even emulate the User Equipment (Phone) based on software defined radio
  • Connect any 4G LTE capable handset for call and data connectivity
  • Complete end-to-end user connectivity with voice and video calls
  • Understand all procedures involved in a network including Attach, Authentication, Security, Paging, Detach and others

Compact System based on Amitec’s latest generation of software defined radio

Area and Scope of Learning

  • Setting up multiple enodeBs with multi-cell configuration and multi-UEs
  • Understating different interfaces such as X1 and S1 for enodeB-to-enodeB connectivity and enodeB-to-EPC connectivity. Monitoring real-time traffic using wireshark and decoding packets.
  • Fully functional FDD LTE Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
  • Fully functional TDD LTE Band 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41,42, 43, 44
  • Programmable Bandwidth of 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 & 20MHz
  • All the parameters of physical layer are accessible to the user to create infinite test scenarios in lab environment.
  • Role of NAS integrity check and encryption using the AES and Snow3G algorithms
  • Support of USIM cards using the XOR or Milenage authentication algorithm
  • Understanding different channels such as PDSCH (physical downlink shared data channel), PDCCH (physical downlink control channel), PCFICH (physical control format indicator channel), PHICH (physical HARQ indicator channel), PBCH (physical broadcast channel), Synchronization Channels PSS and SSS along with PUSCH (physical uplink shared data channel), PUCCH (physical uplink control channel), PRACH (physical random access channel), DRS (demodulation reference signals), SRS (sounding reference signal)
  • Understanding complete Mobile Communication Network including different subsystems. Functioning and role of different components.
  • Integrating separate components to form a scalable network
  • Measure and observe the spectral distribution of LTE frequencies at a given location, decode the channels and geo-locate all the functioning LTE enodeB towers
  • Practically understanding the concept of traffic and control channels
  • Understanding the role of different procedures involved in a network including Attach, Authentication, Security, Paging, Detach and others
  • Configuring the enodeB to set Mobile country code, Network operator code, LTE band and EARFCN channel. Understanding the concept of frequency reuse and calculating channel number
  • Call logging and CDR analysis and importance of Operation and Maintenance Centre
  • Understanding the practical concept of SIM card, IMSI, TMSI, Ki/Kc keys and encryption
  • Working of wireless backhaul radios and configuring the backhaul for various scenarios such as Access Point, Point to Point, Point to Multipoint and Mesh Networking
  • Configure the communication server for IP PBX and VOIP gateway. Understating the role of various protocols such as SIP and RTP
  • Registration of phones to the LTE network and practical working of HSS and other components
  • Understanding the complete flow of registration with each and every associated channel
  • Transmission and Reception of Voice and Video calls using mobile network and SMS server
  • List the TMSI of the phones registered on network and its importance in security of network
  • To establish a voice phone call on mobile phone using mobile network, decoding physical and network layer parameters to understand the complete flow control
  • Establish roaming between enodeB and User equipment and then configure for call flow
  • Forming mobile sectors with frequency reuse
  • Capture LTE packets using Wireshark and analyse the vulnerability of wireless network
  • SIM programming and use of encryption keys along with different encryption methods available
  • Data communication link and understanding the IP data flow via various interfaces and role of SGW and PGW
  • Role of backhaul network in designing and planning the network architecture

Configuration

The complete Lab includes:

 

  • 1 Software defined radio based enodeB with EPC running on a dedicated workstation Linux based PC and all the relevant softwares
  • 1 Software defined radio based User Equipment(UE) running on a dedicated workstation Linux based PC and all the relevant softwares
  • 2 Multi band 4G LTE mobile phones pre-loaded with all relevant softwares
  • Complete Wireless backhaul networking setup for emulating Multi-Cell scenario
  • 2 Multi-band Omni antenna
  • 4 programmable SIM cards along with SIM card writer and software
  • Accessories including Mounting Tripod and fixture, N to SMA adapters, power supply etc
  • Comprehensive documentation including:
    • Pre-Lab study material
    • Experiment manual including more than 25 experiments
    • Video Lectures for pre-lab and experimentation.

Technical Specifications

Frequency Bands
FDD LTE Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
TDD LTE Band 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41,
42, 43, 44
LTE Physical Layer
Modulation64 QAM in Downlink
16 QAM in Uplink
DL ChannelsPBCH, PDCCH, PDSCH, PCFICH, PHICH, PMCH, PSS, SSS
UL ChannelsPRACH, PUSCH, PUCCH,
SRS, DRS
HARQ Support Yes, both UL and DL
DuplexFDD and TDD
CQI/PMI reportingYes
RF
Maximum Output Power+5 dBm ***
Output Level Setting1 dB
Sensitivity-100 dBm
Clock Accuracy< 50 ppb
Factory Calibrated
***Typical operation is at -30dBm for FCC compliant license free safe operation

LTE Protocol Layer
LayersMAC, RLC, PDCP and RRC layers
InterfacesS1AP and GTP-U interfaces to the Core Network
IP connectivityIPv4 and IPv6 support
eMBMSMCH, MCCH, MTCH
EncryptionAES algorithm
Evolved Packet Core
ImplementationsMME, SGW, PGW and HSS
NASIntegrity and encryption using the AES algorithm
UE proceduresattach, authentication, service ac-
cess, radio bearer establishment
IP connectivityIPv4 and IPv6 support
Physical Interface
Rx AntennaN-type
Tx Antenna N-type
Network InterfaceEthernet/IP RJ45
Power Input19V/ 6A
Antenna Specification
Operating Frequency700 MHz - 2700 MHz
Type of AntennaOmni
VSWR< 1.5
Nominal Impedance50 Ohm