ANTS Research Group · University of Murcia
A laboratory for experimentation in 5G and B5G technologies
UMU, and more specifically the Dept. of Information and Communications Engineering of the Computer Science Faculty provides gaia lab, a laboratory for experimentation in 5G and B5G technologies.
Compute · Cloud
Virtualization infrastructure
gaia lab comprises three different main sites: ATICA, PLEIADES and GAIA. These three data centers provide the virtualization and backhaul infrastructure for wireless connectivity, including a self-managed 5G infrastructure that allows experimentation in different fields. The cloud platform hosts core network components, as well as SDN, NFV and MEC deployments. The virtualization capabilities are supported by Proxmox and OpenStack solutions, adding up to more than 1500 CPUs and almost 15 TB of RAM. OSM and Kubernetes are available to enable dynamic and real-time orchestration and distributed computing.
- main sites ATICA · PLEIADES · GAIA
- 3
- CPUs
- 1500+
- of RAM
- ≈15 TB
- links between sites
- 100 Gbps
Backhaul · Programmable networking
Wired network equipment
gaia lab counts with a network infrastructure based on SONiC NOS, featuring high availability, 100 Gbps links between sites and 25/40 Gbps links within the sites, as well as smaller deployments around the university campus. The network backhaul is supported by PTP to ensure timely and precise experimentation, and it is built on programmable networking technologies such as OpenFlow and P4. GAIA 5G also implements small sites equipped with realistic traffic injectors, emulators and impairment generators for low-TRL experimentation with disruptive technologies.
Compute and switching equipment
Features
- 2× distributed OpenStack cluster 80 threads · 256 GB RAM · 4 TB redundant
- OpenFlow SONiC-based ToR switches 48×25G · 8×100G
- APS Networks BF2556X-1T P4 Tofino-based switch · 48×25Gb + 8×100Gb (PTP capable)
- Distributed Proxmox cluster 450 cores · 4 TB RAM · 72 TB hybrid storage
- Wedge 100BF-32X 100GbE P4 Tofino-based switch · 32×100Gb
- OpenFlow PicOS-based access switches 96×10G / 12×40G
- P4-capable dataplane network 16×1/10/25G · 32×10/25G · 104×100G · 32×400G
- Wedge 100BF-65X 100GbE switch · 65×100Gb
Radio access · Multi-access
Wireless connectivity
SDR platforms
3GPP
gaia lab provides 5G SA network access through SDR technology. The infrastructure includes ETTUS B210 and ETTUS N310 devices for experimentation, along with additional SDR options such as BladeSDR boards. These SDR platforms are supported by dedicated computing resources: the B210 units are paired with 8-core computers with 16 GB RAM, while the N310 devices operate alongside a 16-core server based on AMD EPYC 7302P with 32 GB RAM, enabling advanced and flexible experimentation scenarios.
5G SA deployment
3GPP
5G SA provision is delivered through a combination of closed-source and open-source implementations, primarily based on Amarisoft, Open5GS, Nokia, OAI and srsRAN. The outdoor campus-wide 5G network is composed of several gNBs distributed across different buildings, including indoor locations. The campus infrastructure is complemented by Amarisoft Callbox and Simbox units, enabling comprehensive in-lab experimentation.
LoRaWAN · NB-IoT
IoT
gaia lab also features LoRaWAN capabilities operating in the 868 MHz band. The current infrastructure relies on two Kerlink iStation gateways located at the center of the campus. These gateways are connected to a self-deployed LoRaWAN Network Server (ChirpStack), while the received data is also forwarded to The Things Network servers. Future plans include the deployment of an additional gateway to achieve full coverage of the Espinardo campus and extend coverage to the wider Murcia area. Additionally, NB-IoT integration through external providers is foreseen as part of the platform’s evolution.
5G · PC5 · DSRC
C-ITSs
To complete the multi-access infrastructure, 5G / PC5 / C-ITS networking is available through dual-role RSU/OBU-capable devices, which also integrate 5G SA connectivity. The lab also features Cohda MK6 OBU/RSU units supporting 5G / PC5 / C-ITS and 802.11 / DSRC connectivity.
These units can be deployed across the Espinardo campus on demand for vehicular experimentation, fully integrated into the existing infrastructure.
Radio and measurement equipment
Features
- 2× USRP B210 SDR Dual channel transceiver (70 MHz – 6 GHz) · Ettus Research
- 3× Amarisoft licenses gNB + core
- Assorted antennas, filters and amplifiers for SDR scenarios
- 1× USRP N310 SDR ZYNQ-7100 · 4 channels · 10 MHz – 6 GHz · 10 GigE · Ettus Research
- 1× Amarisoft UE Simbox 64 up to 64 5G UEs
- Keysight NEMO Handy solution for L2–L7 testing
- 2× RRH band 78
- 2× Amarisoft Callbox AIO solution with gNB, core and SDRs
- Anritsu FieldMaster Pro MS2090A with 5G licenses for L1 validation and measuring
Testbed map
Multi-access Espinardo Campus infrastructure
With all these devices and technologies integrated into a single multi-access heterogeneous network, the infrastructure map of the Espinardo campus is presented below.
Coverage
5G coverage map
The simulated and subsequently experimentally validated 5G coverage plan of the two deployed sites is approximately as illustrated in the following image.
Coverage
LoRaWAN coverage map
Once the three LoRaWAN gateways are deployed, the expected coverage is illustrated below, based on simulations conducted using Radio Mobile Online.
