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Spirent O-RAN O-CU Test Solution

O-CU Wraparound Performance Testing
Open RAN (O-RAN) architecture disaggregates and splits The CU sits between the DUs and the core network. The
traditional RAN into CU (Centralized Unit), DU (Distributed CU handles the higher layers of the protocol stack, where
Unit), and RU (Radio Unit), supporting standardized open the critical packet processing functions typically reside
and interoperable interfaces, and allowing key functions (SDAP, RRC, and PDCP). A single CU handles many DUs. CUs
to run as virtualized software functions on vendor-neutral are also virtualized and can be deployed on inexpensive,
hardware. This avoids single-vendor dependency by vendor-neutral COTS hardware. Cloud deployments are also
opening the architecture to multiple suppliers. an option, which brings its own set of challenges.

However, lack of domain maturity, coupled with an Disaggregated architecture, open interfaces, virtualization,
increasing push for momentum, is creating a perfect storm multi-vendor interworking, and cloud deployments are some
when it comes to O-RAN. There are major challenges of the many challenges that mandate comprehensive testing
yet to overcome: ensuring performance and robustness, of the CU.
interoperability, internal preparedness to deploy and
manage O-RAN, new costs, and security, just to name a few.

DU
UE + O-DU Emulation
CU + Core Emulation
Automation
Security

The CU can be tested in isolation, in wraparound testing mode. In this case, the O-CU test solution emulates all the network
functions surrounding the CU, including DUs and UEs, core network, eNBs/gNBs, neighboring CUs, and the RIC. The core
network emulation can be 5GC for SA mode or it could be the EPC for NSA mode. The CU can also be tested in an end-to-end
configuration, in which case the core network is part of the System Under Test (SUT).
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The single UI/UX is one of the most powerful features of Spirent’s O-RAN Test Solution,
allowing unified control for all the network functions in an easy and intuitive visual interface.

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Features Technical Specifications

The O-CU Testing feature set includes the following capabilities: Spirent O-CU Testing is compliant to release
• Non-standalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA) modes 15 of the following 3GPP specifications:
• Emulation of UEs, DUs and 5GC and/or EPC to completely surround • 3GPP TS 24.301 Non-Access-Stratum
the CU being tested (NAS) protocol for Evolved Packet System
• Relevant interfaces F1-C, F1-U, N1, N2, N3, S1-U, S1-MME, X2, Xn are (EPS); Stage 3
supported • 3GPP TS 24.501 Non-Access- Stratum
• Control plane and user plane testing (NAS) protocol for 5G System (5GS);
• Functional, performance and capacity testing Stage 3
• Support for intra-CU and inter-CU mobility scenarios • 3GPP TS 29.281 General Packet Radio
• High performance solution that can be scaled to 1000s of emulated System (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User
DUs, millions of emulated subscribers, 100s of gbps of user plane Plane (GTPv1-U)
traffic • 3GPP TS 36.331 Evolved Universal
• Call modeling capabilities to shape test traffic as needed, for Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA);
• control and user planes Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol
• Highly customizable, with ability to edit messages onsite as needed specification
• Appliance-based or virtualized deployment options, including • 3GPP TS 36.413 Evolved Universal
ability to deploy on public cloud platforms Terrestrial Radio Access Network
• Automation through RESTful or Tcl API • (E-UTRAN); S1 Application Protocol (S1AP)
• 3GPP TS 36.423 Evolved Universal
Benefits
Terrestrial Radio Access Network
The Spirent O-CU solution provides flexibility, scalability, and
(E-UTRAN); X2 application protocol
high- performance for comprehensively testing the CU for
(X2AP)
compliance, functionality, performance, and capacity. With the
• 3GPP TS 37.324 E-UTRA and NR; Service
need to interoperate with network functions from different vendors,
Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP)
compliance to the specification is of paramount importance. Often,
specification
the same specification gets interpreted differently by different
• 3GPP TS 37.340 NR; Multi-connectivity;
vendors. This can manifest itself in whether certain optional
Overall description; Stage-2
Information Elements (IE) are included or not in certain procedures.
• 3GPP TS 38.300 NR;NR and NG-RAN
Message editing capabilities empower users to quickly deal with these
• Overall Description
situations themselves. Powerful traffic modeling capabilities allow
• 3GPP TS 38.323 Packet Data
users to shape test traffic as needed, both for the control and user
Convergence Protocol (PDCP)
planes. This enables easy replication of live network traffic conditions,
Specification
patterns, and scale in the lab.
• 3GPP TS 38.331 Radio Resource Control
Some of the key use cases that can be addressed include:
• (RRC) protocol specification
• DU, EPC, 5GC, eNBs and gNB interoperability
• 3GPP TS 38.401 NG-RAN; Architecture
• CU subscriber capacity
description
• CU DU capacity
• 3GPP TS 38.413 NG-RAN; NG Application
• CU Performance (e.g., registration rate)
Protocol (NGAP)
• Single UE and aggregate data throughput capacity
• Real-world user plane traffic performance (such as HTTPS, QUIC • 3GPP TS 38.415 NG-RAN; PDU Session
and application traffic such as Facebook, YouTube, Zoom, etc.) • User Plane Protocol
• Voice and video quality • 3GPP TS 38.423 NG-RAN; Xn Application
• Ability to handle real world mix and scale of events, including Protocol (XnAP)
different types of mobility events • 3GPP TS 38.425 NG-RAN; NR User Plane
• CU robustness for handling abnormal, non-compliant messages • Protocol
and scenarios • 3GPP TS 38.473 NG-RAN; F1 Application
• CI/CD automation pipeline integration Protocol (F1AP)

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About Spirent Ordering Information

Part Number Description
Spirent Communications
L-R-APP-080 LANDSLIDE RAN gNB-CU TEST APPLICATION for 5G NSA CORE
(LSE: SPT) is a global leader
(Option 3x)—Adds gNB CU testing to a Landslide C100 test system.
with deep expertise and
Includes F1-C, F1-U, X2-C, X2-U RAN interfaces. Fingerprint of
decades of experience existing manager required.
in testing, assurance,
analytics and security, L-R-APP-082 LANDSLIDE RAN gNB-CU TEST APPLICATION for 5G SA CORE
serving developers, service —Adds gNB CU testing to a Landslide C100 test system. Includes
providers, and enterprise F1-C, F1-U, Xn-C, Xn-U RAN interfaces. Fingerprint of existing
networks. We help bring manager required.

clarity to increasingly L-APP-053 LANDSLIDE 5G AMF CORE NODE EMULATION APPLICATION

complex technological —Adds 5G AMF core node or a combined AMF+SMF core node
and business challenges. emulation to a Landslide C100 test system. Fingerprint of existing
Spirent’s customers have manager required.
made a promise to their
customers to deliver superior L-APP-055 LANDSLIDE 5G UPF CORE NODE EMULATION APPLICATION
—Adds 5G UPF core node emulation to a Landslide C100 test
performance. Spirent
system. Fingerprint of existing manager required.
assures that those promises
are fulfilled. L-FT-035 LANDSLIDE LTE CORE EMULATION—Emulates LTE MME, SGW
and PDN-GW as one core unit. Provides S1-MME, S1-U and SGi
For more information visit:
interfaces. Multiple interfaces included. TAS ID or fingerprint of LS
www.spirent.com
test system required.

O-CU

System Under Test:

O-CU

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© 2023 Spirent Communications, Inc. All of the company names and/or brand names and/or product names and/or logos referred to in this document,
in particular the name “Spirent” and its logo device, are either registered trademarks or trademarks pending registration in accordance with relevant
national laws. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. Rev C | 02/23 | www.spirent.com