VIAVI TeraVM Core Emulator for 5G SA and NSA gNB Wrap-Around Testing

Virtualized 5G core network emulator that works with the TM500 test mobile for wrap-around testing of 5G gNBs in SA and NSA modes.

Deployment: Runs in lightweight VM on standard x86 hardware
Cloud support: Supported on all major Cloud Platforms
Radio access technologies: Standalone, non-standalone 5G plus legacy RATs (2G, 3G, 4G)
Hardware: 1U Server based system

Datasheet

Overview

The VIAVI TeraVM Core Emulator works with the TM500 test mobile to provide a full wrap-around test of a 5G gNB in both non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) modes.

Network equipment manufacturers and mobile operators bringing 5G to market have to develop products while 3GPP specifications keep changing. The TeraVM Core Emulator removes dependencies on a real core network. RAN engineers get a controllable, repeatable test environment that helps them implement 3GPP standards and shortens gNB development.

Emulated core and error injection

In SA mode the emulator provides the AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF, UDM and PCF functions. In NSA mode it provides the MME, SGW, PGW, HSS and PCRF functions. Engineers can insert errors on the gNB-facing control interface (N1/N2 for SA, S1-MME for NSA) to check how robust the gNB design is. Supported error states include message rejection, silent discard and response delay.

Deployment and automation

TeraVM is a virtualized solution. It runs in a lightweight VM on standard x86 hardware and on major cloud platforms, and capacity scales from an entry level of 1 Gbps. The emulator includes a shell with a command line interface and a web client, and it provides APIs for control from external applications. The TeraVM Core Emulator and the TM500 follow a common 3GPP baseline and share one support team.

Key Features

Alignment with 3GPP standards
Supported on all major Cloud Platforms
Runs in lightweight VM on standard x86 hardware
Run 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G on same x86 host
Standalone, non-standalone 5G plus legacy RATs (2G, 3G, 4G)
Supports IoT and VoLTE (IMS)
Automation and scripting tools
Negative testing via error injection on the N1/N2 interface (gNB - AMF)
Virtualized architecture enables elastic test bed and flexible loan licenses
Alignment and compatibility with TM500 test mobile
View all Core Network KPIs on one GUI
Bi-weekly releases with common configuration with TM500
Remote software upgrades
One-stop test support for TM500 and TeraVM

Specifications

Platform

Deployment	Runs in lightweight VM on standard x86 hardware
Cloud support	Supported on all major Cloud Platforms
Radio access technologies	Standalone, non-standalone 5G plus legacy RATs (2G, 3G, 4G)
Hardware	1U Server based system Easy to transport and setup (Lab/Field)

Capacity

Entry level capacity	1 Gbps Pay as you grow architecture
Base license capacity TVM4104, 48000/306	Up to 10 Gbps
Capacity step TVM4105, 48000/307	2.5 Gbps

5G SA Configuration

Subcomponents 5G SA	AMFs (Access & Mobility Function), SMFs (Session Management Function), UPFs (User Plane Function), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), UDM (User Data Management), PCF (Policy Control Function)
Interfaces 5G SA	N1/N2, N3, N6
5G-SA procedures 5G SA	NGAP Setup/Reset; NGAP InitialContextSetup; RAB-Setup; Modify RAB; Mobility from NSA coverage to 4G coverage; UE Context Release (AMF-initiated); UE Context Release Request (NG-RAN initiated); RRC Inactive Transition Report; PDU Session Resource setup; PDU Session Resource Release; PDU Session Resource Notify; Initial UE; Downlink NAS Transport; Uplink NAS Transport; Paging; ERROR indication; UE Radio Capability Info Indication; essential NAS procedure; essential 5G QoS model; essential 5G security function Paging: available but untested
3GPP specifications 5G SA	3GPP TS 23.501, TS 23.502, TS 24.501, TS 38.300, TS 38.413, TS 38.420, TS 38.423, TR 38.801, TR 38.401, TR 38.410 Subject to change, contact VIAVI for latest supported specifications

5G NSA Configuration

Subcomponents 5G NSA	MME (Mobility Management Entity), SGW (Serving Gateway), PGW (Packet Gateway), HSS (Home Subscriber Server), PCRF (Policy Control Rules Function)
Interfaces 5G NSA	S1-MME, S1-U
5G-NSA Option 3x procedures 5G NSA	Attach procedure; PDN Connection/Disconnection for gNB bearer; RAB-Setup Procedure; Modify RAB procedure; Mobility from NSA coverage to 4G coverage

Error Generation

Error insertion interface 5G SA	N2 Web page states N1/N2 (gNB - AMF)
Error insertion interface 5G NSA	S1-MME
Emulated protocol layers	All protocol layers from IP over SCTP to NG-AP and NAS
Emulated error states	Message Rejection, Discard Silently, Response Delay

Automation and Scripting

Management	Shell or a web client; APIs to control and operate the Emulator from external applications
Core Emulator shell	Command Line Interface with readline/autocompletion support; Fully scriptable

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

5G gNB development and wrap-around testing
5G standalone (SA) gNB testing
5G non-standalone (NSA) gNB testing
gNB robustness and negative testing
RAN functional, system integration, capacity and regression testing
5G demonstrations to customers
IoT and VoLTE (IMS) testing

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
TVM4000	Dell Server for Core Emulator — Support: HWSUP PPG15
TVM4104	5GC Core EM Base — Up to 10 Gbps; Support SA308
TVM4105	5GC Core EM 2.5 Gbps — 2.5 Gbps step for 5G Core Em; Support SA309
TVM3101	Error Insertion N1/N2-100K TPS — 100 Gbps; Support SA317
48000/306	NSA 4G Core EM Base — Up to 10 Gbps; Support SA306
48000/307	NSA 4G Core EM 2.5 Gbps — 2.5 Gbps step for NSAG Core Em; Support SA307
48000/316	Error Insertion Option — 100 Gbps; Support SA316
48000/319	AMF Wraparound Test N1/2/8/11/12/14 — 100,000 TPS; Support SA319
48000/317	Error Insertion N1/N2/-100K TPS — 100,000 TPS; Support SA317
48000/318	AMF Mobility Test N26 — Requires 48000/319; 100,000 TPS; Support SA318
48000/320	SMF Wraparound Test N4/7/10/11 — 100,000 TPS; Support SA320
48000/321	UPF Wraparound Test N3/N4/N6 — 100 Gbps; Support SA321