Why is USRP for 5G Prototyping Better?

Figure 1. The 5G Ecosystem (Source: 5GPPP, Why the EU is betting big on 5G, )

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Challenges in Determinism

Applications such as 5G New Radio (5G NR)  introduce timing constraints that make the relationship between the processor and RF front end even more critical than previous communication protocols like LTE or 802.11. Ultra-reliable machine type communication creates a need for upper-layer functionality to occur in much more deterministic and precise timing intervals, which forces technologies like schedulers to be implemented more deterministically. New 802.11 standards such as 802.11ax depend on strict timing requirements as access points determine channel models dynamically through trigger frames and a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). All these interactions must happen in tight 16us timing requirements, otherwise the communication breaks down. Determinism is becoming increasingly necessary in applications as more and more intelligence is provided to the PHY layer through a MAC. Time-critical operations can no longer be implemented strictly with a PC. Technologies like real-time OSs and FPGAs must be used to handle these sub-1ms timing requirements.

Challenges in Processing

In increasing processing power, there are always difficulties such as the mobility of a processing unit, data pipes that transition data from processing resource to processing resource, and the flexibility of the configuration. With complex developments in MAC layer functionality, added focus on software-defined networks, and more robust and complex schedulers, the need for time-accurate processing and parallel computing becomes greater.Let’s specifically explore the software-defined networking case. With complex requirements from a software-defined communication network, any node may need to completely reconfigure its function at short notice. Integrating a single node with the processing power to handle those decision-making tasks requires transceivers to scale beyond the RF. The RF node may need to have either the ability to process decisions from a scheduler at a central processing point or run its own decision engine, which both require advancements in processing that scales beyond typical ASICs. However, raw processing power is still not enough. As the need for environment emulation grows, whether from the channel, base station, or user equipment perspective, increasingly lower latencies between processor and circuitry are required. Any application that integrates heterogenous processor architectures (GPP, GPU, FPGA, and so on) requires that the data be transferred over high-speed serial interfaces with low latency and wide data bandwidth.

Figure 2. Network Diversification—Remote Radio Heads and Device-to-Device Communications Increase Network Complexity

Challenges in Scale

It's no surprise that technology is shrinking, whether looking at the trend of the off-the-shelf device side of technology or the silicon that the devices are built with. The technology is not only shrinking but it's also changing scale. Instead of the base station of old, multiple deployed radio nodes may act as the new infrastructure for 5G and beyond. This introduces an entirely new range of needs including servicing the infrastructure and implementing software updates remotely. However, these changes affect more than operators. Wireless communications researchers must be able to move out of the lab and into the field for real-world trials. The technology can no longer just be demonstrated at the lab level. Multiple universities, operators, and vendors are collaborating to deploy testbeds throughout cities to demonstrate the capabilities of new physical, data link, and network layers in a real-world environment. Deploying hardware for field trials and maintaining accessibility to the project from remote campuses introduce a variety of new issues.

The USRP Software Defined Radio Stand-Alone Device

The USRP (Universal Software Radio Peripheral) solution has been the benchmark of industry and academic software defined radio (SDR) technology for the past decade.

Figure 3. USRP-

The USRP- is the first stand-alone SDR from NI and will be the first NI USRP to use the power of LabVIEW software, the LabVIEW FPGA Module, and the LabVIEW Real-Time Module, all in a single device. It is designed around the existing USRP RIO hardware solution, but now integrates an x86 processor connected to the USRP through high-speed PCI Express and Ethernet connections for data streaming between an x86 target and FPGA target.

An x86 processor that’s incorporated into the design of an SDR provides many benefits. First, the LabVIEW Real-Time programmable processor is now the ideal target to test scheduler algorithms, allowing for prioritization on the processor and deterministically operating on and sending commands to the FPGA, which in turn can handle the physical layer RF signals. Second, because data can be processed onboard the device, every radio node can run additional computation beyond what previously was done on only the FPGA. Finally, with an Ethernet connection to a development machine, any number of USRP- devices can be deployed with duplicate or unique code bases in a flash, which improves system and code management at the individual module level or at the large-scale testbed.

The USRP Software Defined Radio Stand-Alone Device opens the doors for new research and advanced use cases previously limited by traditional SDRs. Systems become more scalable, are more easily managed, and can now integrate decision making and deterministic selection through the onboard processor. The USRP Software Defined Radio Stand-Alone Device provides the high performance to tackle even the most complex of communications challenges.

USRP for 5G Prototyping: Empowering the Future of Wireless Communication

The Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) by Highmesh is a powerful tool for developing, testing, and deploying next-generation wireless technologies. Designed with flexibility and high performance, USRP platforms are ideal for 5G prototyping, enabling researchers, engineers, and developers to accelerate the innovation of advanced communication systems.

Key Advantages of USRP for 5G Prototyping

1. Wideband Frequency Coverage

USRP devices support the wide frequency ranges required for 5G, including sub-6 GHz and millimeter-wave bands. This broad coverage ensures compatibility with diverse use cases like enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC).

2. High Bandwidth and Low Latency

USRP platforms provide the high bandwidth and low-latency processing essential for 5G applications. Advanced FPGA capabilities enable real-time data processing, crucial for tasks such as beamforming, channel estimation, and high-speed data transfer.

3. Scalable and Modular Design

5G research often involves evolving requirements. USRP's modular architecture allows users to customize and upgrade components, such as RF front ends and signal processing modules, to match the demands of new 5G standards and protocols.

4. Software Integration

USRP devices integrate seamlessly with popular SDR development environments like GNU Radio, MATLAB, and LabVIEW. This compatibility allows researchers to develop and test algorithms for Massive MIMO, carrier aggregation, and dynamic spectrum sharing.

5. Precise Synchronization for Massive MIMO

USRP platforms support GPS-disciplined oscillators and multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) configurations, enabling precise timing synchronization across distributed systems. This feature is critical for prototyping Massive MIMO and beamforming, key technologies in 5G networks.

Applications of USRP in 5G Development

1. Base Station Prototyping

Use Case: Developing and testing 5G base station designs, including gNodeB.

USRP Advantage: Highmesh’s USRP supports scalable MIMO setups and robust synchronization for realistic base station testing.

For more information, please visit HM USRP E Series.

2. mmWave Research

Use Case: Exploring millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication for ultra-high-speed data transmission.

USRP Advantage: Wide frequency support and high bandwidth allow accurate testing of mmWave antennas and signal propagation.

3. 5G NR (New Radio) Testing

Use Case: Implementing and verifying the performance of the 5G NR standard.

USRP Advantage: Software flexibility enables the implementation of custom NR waveforms and dynamic spectrum management techniques.

4. Network Slicing and Virtualization

Use Case: Simulating and testing 5G network slicing to allocate resources efficiently.

USRP Advantage: USRP's software-defined capabilities make it ideal for experimenting with network virtualization and resource allocation.

5. IoT and URLLC

Use Case: Prototyping low-latency, high-reliability networks for IoT applications in smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and healthcare.

USRP Advantage: Highmesh’s USRP devices provide ultra-low-latency processing and robust signal performance, essential for mission-critical applications.

Addressing 5G Prototyping Challenges

High hardware costs: Affordable yet high-performance models are suitable for research and commercial prototyping.

Rapidly evolving standards: Modular design ensures adaptability to new 5G standards and updates.

Complex signal processing: FPGA-accelerated platforms handle computationally intensive tasks with ease.

Multi-device synchronization: Advanced timing features ensure precise synchronization for MIMO and distributed systems.

Why Choose Highmesh USRP for 5G Prototyping?

1. Industry-leading Performance

Our USRP platforms deliver the computational power and bandwidth necessary for cutting-edge 5G research and prototyping.

2. Customization for Specific Needs

Highmesh provides tailored USRP solutions to meet the unique requirements of individual 5G projects, whether it's mmWave exploration, network slicing, or Massive MIMO testing.

3. Comprehensive Support

Highmesh offers robust technical support, detailed documentation, and a global network to ensure the smooth deployment and operation of your USRP systems.

4. Cost-Effective Innovation

By combining modular hardware with open-source software frameworks, Highmesh reduces the total cost of 5G prototyping without compromising on quality.