5G N1 N2 Interface Simulation

Overview

GL’s Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) is designed for testing 5G–N1N2 interfaces can simulate gNodeB (gNB), and AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) according to 3GPP Release 15 standards.

NGAP is found on the N1N2 reference point between the gNB (gNodeB) and the AMF (Core Access and Mobility and Management Function) in order to support UE and non-UE related services. This includes operations such as configuration updates, UE context transfer, PDU Session resource management and support for mobility procedures. The user (UE) has very high-speed RF connection to the nearest local tower. This high-speed connection is always ON, as long as the mobile is powered up. 5G is designed for compatibility with older 2G, 3G and 4G (LTE) mobile systems.

gNodeB (gNB) is the base station in the 5G/NGAP interface and also includes AMF (to handle signaling of control plane) as shown in the network diagram above.

The application is available as

• MAPS™ 5G-N1N2 (PKS500 licenses)

MAPS™ N1N2 Emulator supported Procedures are - NG Reset, NG Setup, Initial Context Setup, UE Context Release, Registration, De-registration, Primary authentication and key agreement procedure, Security mode control, Identification. The application gives the users an unlimited ability to edit NGAP/NAS messages and call scenarios (message sequences). "Message sequences" are generated through scripts. "Messages" are created using message templates.

Possible applications include:

• NGAP and NAS procedure and protocol compliance testing
• Simulate multiple gNodeBs/AMFs and millions of subscribers using CSV configurations
• 5G System wide features such as SMS, Location Services, Emergency Services
• Authenticate and confirm security procedures
• QoS requests for greater or lesser bandwidth
• Temporary addressing management for mobility and security

GL has enhanced its MAPS™ protocol emulation tool to simulate multi-protocol and multi-interface offering a complete range of test solutions, covering the entire 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G network.

By mimicking real-world customer behavior in lab environments, our solutions allow mobile operators and equipment manufacturers to verify their 5G networks before deployment.

The product supports Mobile traffic core – GTP (ETH101) simulation for user-plane packet transmission and reception services between any two nodes in 5G network. Mobile Traffic Core – Gateway (ETH102) module allows simulation of Gateway Traffic to test media gateway telephony interfaces over IP. These modules also support generation and verification of data traffic such as Email, FTP, Web (HTTP), Video, and more.

GL also provides a GUI based Multi-Protocol Analyzer for on-line capture and decode of the signaling in real-time both during tests and as a stand-alone tracer for live systems.