Evolution of infrastructure (ultra low Latency) and Expanded mobile system (mmWave) towards 6G-AI NeTworks

Network Measurement and Monitoring Equipment

In addition to the network infrastructure, the ELEGANT project includes a range of instrumentation elements intended for measurement and monitoring tasks, aimed at characterizing network behavior and verifying optimal operation. These equipment items are divided into two main categories:

Fixed Laboratory Equipment

The laboratory equipment in the ELEGANT project enables detailed analysis of network behavior through the generation and capture of 5G signals. These include a high-frequency vector signal generator (up to 44 GHz) with MIMO capability and a signal oscilloscope-analyzer capable of measuring up to 40 GSa/s. These tools are essential for prior validation in controlled environments and for advanced radio performance testing.

Mobile Equipment

For real-world testing scenarios, ELEGANT includes mobile terminals and CPEs capable of operating in both FR1 and FR2 bands. Among these are Crosscall terminals with QualiPoc software for the 5G n40 band, a Samsung Galaxy S24+ adapted for n258 (millimeter wave) connectivity, and a Quectel CPE for stationary dual-band testing. These devices enable the measurement of coverage, connectivity, and performance in field and research environments.

Fixed Laboratory Equipment

The ELEGANT project includes high-end instrumentation for the generation and analysis of 5G signals in both FR1 and FR2 bands:

  • The R&S® SMW200A vector signal generator operates in a frequency range from 100 kHz to 44 GHz. It generates I/Q signals with up to 2 GHz bandwidth, supports multiple standards (5G NR Releases 15, 16, and 17), and allows for channel simulation with 2x2 MIMO configurations. This flexibility makes it ideal for reproducing complex propagation scenarios and performing advanced radio performance tests.

  • The R&S® RTP signal analyzer and digital oscilloscope provides bandwidth of up to 16 GHz per channel and a sampling rate of 40 GSa/s. It can perform complex measurements such as real-time demodulation, MIMO testing, eye diagrams, and RF signal analysis. With external modules, analysis can be extended up to 44 GHz, making it a key tool for 5G and B5G research environments.

Mobile Equipment for Network Testing

To monitor and evaluate the 5G network in real-world scenarios, ELEGANT includes terminals and CPEs capable of operating in both FR1 and FR2 bands. It should be noted that for FR2 (n258 band), there are currently no commercial terminals available in the European market, so the available equipment is experimental and intended for research use.

  • FR1 Bands

For this band, six Crosscall Core-Z5 terminals are used (three per campus), equipped with Rohde & Schwarz’s QualiPoc software. These devices are compatible with 5G n40 band as well as 4G, 3G, and 2G bands, allowing for connectivity, coverage, and performance testing across various network technologies. They are especially useful for network analysis in mobility or complex outdoor environments.

  • FR2 Bands

Despite current market limitations, only one device have been incorporated to operate in the n258 (FR2) band:

    • A Quectel RG530F-EU, a research CPE capable of operating simultaneously in n40 (FR1) and n258 (FR2) in SA mode. The main drawback is that it is not a conventional mobile terminal: it requires external power supply and lacks a graphical interface, as it operates via AT commands. Nevertheless, it is very useful for stationary lab tests.