| dc.description.abstract | Fifth Generation (5G) mobile communication system is currently being deployed globally. Different from earlier generation mobile systems, this generation of mobile communication systems offers a variety of novel features to satisfy distinct requirements of diverse applications. One of the most innovative aspects of 5G is its potential openness in Radio Access Network (RAN) protocols, allowing RAN elements to be interchangeable and be implemented in open-source software. This flexibility enables deploying software based on low cost Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) hardware for configuring specific applications. Additionally, open-source Core Networks (CNs) are available to be integrated with RAN software, empowering the softwarization of mobile communication systems to be completely open-source based.
This thesis work performs a comprehensive implementation of an end-to-end 5G mobile system with multiple combinations of RANs and CNs running on COTS hardware. Two open-source RAN software suites have been implemented to realize Fourth Generation (4G), 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) and 5G Standalone (SA) RANs integrated with four types of Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) as Radio Units (RUs). In the meantime, one open-source CN software suite has been implemented to implement both 4G and 5G CNs. Connected with multiple types of commercial mobile phones and an Internet of Things (IoT) device, the implemented system forms an end-to-end 4G/5G prototype network supporting both Human-Type Communications (HTC) and Machine-Type Communications (MTC).
Furthermore, the implemented prototype has been tested extensively with multiple combinations of User Equipment (UE), RAN and CN configurations. The experiments are conducted to verify the functions and the performance of the prototype system with respect to connectivity, network performance, and service provisioning. The results obtained from these experiments demonstrate that mobile networks enabled by open-source software are operable and can achieve performance comparable to commercial systems. | |