Deploying a stable 5G SA testbed using srsRAN and Open5GS: UE integration and troubleshooting towards network slicing

Abstract

Field trials and experimentation are crucial for accelerating the adoption of standalone (SA) 5G in Africa. Traditionally, only network operators and vendors had the opportunity for practical experimentation due to proprietary systems and licensing restrictions. However, the emergence of open source cellular stacks and affordable software-defined radio (SDR) systems is changing this landscape. Although these technologies are not yet fully developed for complete 5G systems, their progress is rapid, and the research community is using them to test different use cases like network slicing. Building a 5G network is complex, especially in uncontrolled RF environments with fluctuating physical conditions such as noise and interference. This necessitates proper RF planning and performance optimization. The complexity is further compounded by the variety of 5G end-user devices, each with unique configurations and integration requirements. Some devices are network locked and require rooting to connect to a 5G testbed, while others need expert APN configurations or have specific compatibility specifications like sub-carrier spacing (SCS) and duplex mode. Unfortunately, vendors often provide limited information about RF compatibility, making trial-and-error techniques necessary to uncover compatibility details. This paper presents best practices for deploying and configuring a 5G SA testbed, focusing on the integration challenges of consumer-grade devices, specifically 5G mobile phones connected to a 5G testbed. Additionally, the paper offer solutions for troubleshooting integration errors and performance issues, as well as a brief discussion on the realization of basic network slicing in a 5G SA network.