OpenAirInterface (OAI) is an open-source implementation of 3GPP standards for mobile systems. It is a customizable platform for developing and testing mobile network components, including gNB and UE.
mmW-OAI Architecture
The mmW-OAI testbed integrates millimeter-wave (mmWave) technology with OpenAirInterface (OAI) to form a complete 5G FR2 testing environment. This system includes mmWave beamformers, frequency converters, and a powerful PC with an advanced OAI software stack. Essential for thorough testing, the setup allows for comprehensive simulations and debugging across various network layers—from the User Equipment (UE) to the gNB and the core network.
Base station (BS)
OAIBOX runs gNB and CN5G. The antenna ports of OAIBOX connect to SDR, which acts as a transceiver and the UD Box converts the uplink/downlink signal. At any given moment, the UD Box either transmits or receives mmWave signals to/from the 5G beamformer.
User equipment (UE)
Three types of UEs are suited for different scenarios. OAI UE offers the most flexibility for network and wireless developers. UEs such as the iPhone 14 Pro provide the most commercialized experiences, and COTS UEs lie somewhere in-between.
