Software simplifies 5G small cell development
To support the development of 5G base station technology, CommAgility has introduced its PHYRefChain-5G software. Developers working on satellite comms, wireless test, military communications and private network designs can use it to quickly develop and deploy specialised 5G solutions for customised applications.
The PHYRefChain-5G software is 3GPP-compliant, which reduces the complexity, risk, and cost of 5G product development by helping ensure new products meet global standards and are compatible with specific industry requirements, says CommAgility.
“The new 5G reference chain software adds to our base portfolio of 5G NR hardware and software,” said Edward Young, CommAgility’s vice president and general manager. The company combines its software and hardware with NXP’s Layerscape Access LA12XX programmable baseband processors for small cells, access points and private networks based on its reference chain software.
The resources in the PHYRefChain-5G software are claimed to provide a lower cost, shorter time to market option over in-house ground-up designs. The PHYRefChain-5G can play a key role in enabling the use of new radio access technology, 5G New Radio (NR), to develop next-generation communication networks.
The PHYRefChain-5G software is the foundation of CommAgility’s offering for 5G NR software development, including pre-ported and validated PHY and Stack. The 5G NR software has a flexible architecture to enable easy integration with available hardware accelerators and libraries. Versions are available for both 5G gNodeB and UE product developers. The reference chain complies with 3GPP Release 15 (specifications 38.22, 38.212, 38.213 and 38.214), ensuring end products will work with all 3GPP-compliant networks. Additionally, compliance with Small Cell Forum 5G FAPI enables fast integration with CommAgility or other protocol stacks.
Algorithms are provided for channel estimation, equalisation and synchronisation. There are also static test frameworks with hundreds of test cases and test vectors to reduce the investment required in test equipment and creating custom test environments, added CommAgility.
Version 15.0.3 of PHYRefChain-5G is available now and will be continually enhanced to meet market needs as 3GPP specifications evolve. Regular releases are planned to the software throughout 2020, adding further new features and functionality.
