Test Network at the Smart Internet Lab

Following the successful delivery of the 5GUK Testbeds and Trials Programme, Phase 0, the University of Bristol’s 5G testbed has been expanded and maintained as a platform for research and innovation, delivering several UK and EU funded projects.

Our Test Network has been designed to provide a multi-tenancy cloud network infrastructure with its resources shared among various project spaces. These resources include a mix of proprietary and open-source network functions, and interfaces using multi-vendor end-to-end network solutions. 

The core of our cloud network is located at the Merchant Venturers Building, University’s Clifton campus with multiple edge nodes spanning across the City of Bristol. The testbed connectivity is through licensed and unlicensed spectrum for wireless connectivity along with the use of dark fibre for wired connectivity illuminated using SDN enabled switches. This testbed has its own defined user plane, control plane and management plane deploying a set of critical network functions to create project spaces, user administration and probs for data monitoring among many other features. 

The Testbed facilitates research and innovation in many technologies such as:

• Programmable radio network based on Open-RAN with 4G/5G/Beyond-5G air interfaces
• Service based architecture using standalone 5G core network functions
• Network slicing for connectivity between nodes using SDN enabled switches
• Flexible allocation of compute, network connectivity and storage resources using Open-Source MANO (OSM), while the project spaces can use and explore their alternative virtualisation technologies.
• Research partner’s VPN access to testbed resources through a carrier grade service router
• In-house developed multi-RAT CPE/Hub devices enabling services, e.g. IoT sensors or actuators connectivity with the networks, among many other innovative solutions.
• Network parameter & performance monitoring from Core, Transport, and RAN functions
• Research in Machine Learning (ML) techniques towards Artificial Intelligent (AI) algorithms for a defined use case under investigation
• IoT devices as sensors and actuators providing a data platform for various use cases
• Research in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) using dark fibre across multiple sites 

Future Networks

Smart Internet lab’s research team aims to demonstrate the latest 6G enabling technologies for communications. The test network is undergoing a strategic technology refresh from 5G to the 6G narrative to drive the communication systems of the future.

Our future network research focuses on a human-centric model, bridging the physical and the digital worlds through a digital representation of the physical world around us.

The testbed capabilities will evolve to enable:

• Human-centric networking through open architectures for a programable networks based on advanced digital twins
• Edgeification and disaggregation of network functions facilitating the exchange of information across communication layers
• Virtualisation of the infrastructure through software in convergence of the IT and telecom networks into a unified cloud network
• Smart services and networks providing native resiliency and security
• Zero-touch networks as an automated and autonomous network with trusted AI
• Cyber Security
• Sustainable network development with Net Zero goals
• Quantum Internet and communications
• Use-case driven innovation e.g.: logistics, manufacturing, transport, cities, advanced media

 

Nomadic Node

Nomadic Node (5G-NN) is a standalone network entity, our portable 5G in a box solution with capability to create multiple access cell coverage areas (4G/5G/WiFi) for enhanced mobile broadband applications and services, improved broadband and IoT platform connectivity and ultra-low latency configurations for blind spot coverage.

This solution provides rapid development of the sub-systems within an Open RAN and Open Core networks architecture, including support for:

• network functions
• Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) applications
• orchestration and network data platform for machine learning
• further artificial intelligent development activities
• disaggregated 4G/5G Core
• flexible backhaul network connectivity

Example of past use cases

• Smart City use-case: The Smart Tourism project connected tourist destinations across the West of England to this 5G testbed. By focussing on the intersection between infrastructure, mobile services, tourism and digital applications, the project delivered five unique use-cases showcasing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) through innovative augmented, virtual & mixed reality applications.
• Manufacturing Industry: Through the creation and operation of a Standalone 5G Core Network, the testbed was used as part of the 5G-ENCODE project to explore the use of Augmented/Virtual Reality applications in remote training of high-value manufacturing processes, and provided real-time monitoring and data storage for post-processing of the results. It also demonstrated integration of two private 5G networks delivering a service from one network to another.
• Logistics: As a partner within the 5G-Logistics project, the research team created a multi-technology 5G platform, demonstrating the benefits that 5G enabled applications can bring to the logistics sector. The project team contributed their extensive knowledge and expertise in 5G network design, and Internet of Things (IoT) architectures. The Smart Internet Lab has integrated sensor networks with 5GNR and 5G core in a standalone (SA) mode to provide the solution architecture for the project’s data platform.