Hardware requirements

It is hard to define system requirements because these depend e.g. on bandwidth (e.g., 5, 8, 10 MHz), modulation coding scheme and other parameters. Generally, a CPU with 4 cores and 8 threads, 16 GB RAM and - in case a SDR and not just sample files are used - an USB 3.0 port is necessary. Furthermore, HDMI, Wifi, LAN and sufficient SSD space (for sample files,…) is recommended.

If you want to be sure that everything is working, we recommend to use our reference system.

Note We would appreciate if you let us know about your setup to list it below. Drop us a mail reference-tools@5g-mag.com.

Supported SDR

To use the 5G-MAG Reference Tools in a live setup a SDR (software defined radio) is required.

5G-MAG Reference Tools MBMS Modem supports SoapyAPI, thus any supported SDR should work with the 5G-MAG Reference Tools (please keep in mind that not every SDR hardware is sufficient for receiving an 5G Broadcast signal (e.g. bandwidth, sample rate…)).

We recommend using a LimeSDR Mini or BladeRF 2.0 Micro XA4. A HackRF One can also be used. Each has to be connected via USB to the computer and to your antenna via SMA connector.

LimeSDR Mini can be ordered e.g. at CrowdSupply for around 160 EUR
BladeRF can be ordered e.g. at nuand for around 480 EUR.
HackRF One are widely available. Please see their website for availability, typically around 250 EUR.
Ettus USRP N310
Ettus USRP B210

Note If you are using another SDR, please let us know that we can update the list above. Drop us a mail reference-tools@5g-mag.com.

Note If you only want to test with sample files, a SDR is NOT required.

OS

We recommend to use Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (64 bit), but if you build everything from source, also other OS should work (e.g., Ubuntu 18, Debian, Raspbian…)

Note We would appreciate if you let us know about your setup to list it below. Drop us a mail reference-tools@5g-mag.com.

Reference setups

5G-MAG Reference Tools system

Specs

Component	Part	Approx. price (EUR)
Intel NUC	Intel Provo Canyon BKNUC8V7PNH	600
RAM	Crucial RAM CT16G4SFRA266 16GB DDR4 2666 MHz CL19	60
SSD	SanDisk Extreme PRO M.2 NVMe 3D SSD 500 GB interne SSD	70
Power cord	LINDY 30406 - Power cord for notebooks (Schuko) 3m	10
Optional:
_
Display_	Capacitive display 7” IPS 1024x600	70

The full specification of the Intel NUC can be found here.

If you want to fully integrate the SDR into the NUC as seen on the picture above: 5G-MAG Reference Tools casing

Testcases

The 5G-MAG Reference Tools system was tested live, with sample files, with bandwidths 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 MHz, SCS 1.25 and 7.5 kHz and modulation coding schemes (MCS) 1-26 with multiple services (RTP, HLS). Max CPU (2 services, 10 MHz, MCS26) was below 60%.

Hardware requirements