How an RF Lab Can Replicate and Test 4G and 5G Production Networks Simultaneously

In this video snippet David Woodcock (Product Strategy) reviews three configuration examples of RF wireless lab architecture that mirror the production environment of a mobile network operator. The first is an operator who wants to be able to test their two-vendor 4G implementation in the lab, where each vendor uses two different configurations.

The second example is a 5G operator that's replicating their dual split implementation in the lab. The left branch of the architecture is a 5G site with a split 2 configuration, which is suitable for delivering service in places where the mid-haul performance isn't great, like a rural area.

The third example is an operator that has both 4G and 5G networks running simultaneously and wants to replicate interoperability. The 4G network has a combination of 4x4 MIMO sites and some 2x2 MIMO sites that represent a mix of high and low-density deployments. The 5G network is split 7-2 which is reasonably cost-effective architecture especially with the virtualization of the CU and DU network workloads.