GL Unveils 5G ORAN Interface Emulators for Multi-Vendor Interface Validation

Emulate and Validate 5G ORAN F1 and E1 Interface Signaling for Reliable 5G Network Deployments

As Open RAN (ORAN) architectures reshape 5G network deployments, validating signaling across the F1 interface between the gNB Distributed Unit (DU) and the gNB Central Unit (CU), and across the E1 interface between the gNB Central Unit Control Plane (CU-CP) and the gNB Central Unit User Plane (CU-UP), has become essential for ensuring interoperability, deployment readiness and reliable multi-vendor integration.

To support validation of these critical interfaces, GL Communications provides 5G ORAN F1AP and E1AP Interface Emulators that enable engineers to emulate signaling procedures across ORAN network elements and verify interface behavior prior to field deployment and integration testing.

5G ORAN F1 and E1 Interface

Built on GL’s Message Automation and Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) platform, these emulators support functional validation, automated regression testing, interoperability testing, and performance verification across disaggregated ORAN architectures.


Why Validate ORAN F1 and E1 Interfaces Early?

In multi-vendor Open RAN environments:

  • F1 interface controls signaling between gNB-DU and gNB-CU
  • E1 interface coordinates signaling between gNB CU-CP and gNB CU-UP
  • Interface behavior directly impacts UE context handling and bearer setup
  • Signaling reliability affects mobility continuity and session stability
  • Early validation reduces integration risk and deployment delays

Reliable interface validation helps engineering teams accelerate integration cycles and improve interoperability readiness across ORAN deployments.


5G ORAN F1AP Interface Emulator

GL’s F1AP Emulator enables engineers to simulate signaling between gNB-DU and gNB-CU nodes and validate control-plane and user-plane procedures across ORAN midhaul interfaces.

Key capabilities:

  • Emulation of both gNB-DU and gNB-CU roles
  • Support for F1-C control-plane signaling
  • Validation of F1-U user-plane tunnelling
  • SCTP signaling verification
  • UE context setup, modification, and release testing
  • Negative testing and fault scenario validation
  • Automated regression workflows using ready scripts
  • Custom signaling scenarios via script and message editors
  • Scheduled automated call generation and reception

5G ORAN E1AP Interface Emulator

GL’s E1AP Emulator validates signaling between gNB CU-CP and gNB CU-UP nodes, supporting verification of coordination workflows within split Central Unit architectures.

Key capabilities:

  • Emulate gNB CU-CP and gNB CU-UP nodes
  • Support for Control and User Plane Separation procedures
  • Bearer context lifecycle validation
  • Script-driven automated signaling scenarios
  • Performance testing with scalable call density
  • Fault insertion for robustness testing
  • Detailed KPIs and statistics reporting
  • Automated and unattended regression testing

Supporting ORAN Development, Integration, and Interoperability Testing

Built on GL’s MAPS™ framework, these solutions help teams:

  • Validate gNB DU–CU signaling workflows
  • Verify gNB CU-CP / CU-UP coordination procedures
  • Perform multi-vendor interoperability testing
  • Emulate large-scale UE signaling scenarios
  • Execute automated regression during software upgrades
  • Perform load and performance validation prior to deployment

Designed for ORAN Vendors, Operators, and 5G Test Labs

Ideal for:

  • ORAN equipment vendors
  • gNB developers
  • Telecom operators
  • System integrators
  • Protocol stack developers
  • 5G interoperability and validation labs

Validate ORAN Interfaces Before Deployment Challenges Arise

Planning gNB DU–CU or gNB CU-CP / CU-UP interface validation?

GL engineers can help you automate interoperability workflows, emulate signaling scenarios, and configure scalable ORAN interface validation environments tailored to your architecture

Explore solutions:

5G ORAN F1AP Interface Emulator

5G ORAN E1AP Interface Emulator


Why GL Communications?

  • 40+ years of telecom protocol testing expertise
  • Proven support for 5G Core, ORAN, and next-generation signaling validation
  • Trusted by operators, OEMs, enterprises, governments, and labs worldwide
  • Industry-recognized MAPS™ automation framework
  • Complete ecosystem covering emulation, capture, monitoring, and analytics

Back to Newsletter Index Page Back to Newsletter Index Page