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Real 5G RAN Stack

5G RAN Lab
OpenAirInterface

Build, configure, and run a real 3GPP-compliant 5G gNB and UE using OpenAirInterface. Full L1/L2/L3 protocol stack with rfsimulator — no radio hardware needed.

10
Lab Modules
L1-L3
Full Stack
3GPP
Compliant
Real
Not Simulated

Lab Architecture

Real OAI 5G stack running on our servers — you interact through a browser

OAI nrUE
Real L1/L2/L3 UE
rfsimulator
OAI gNB
Real L1/L2/L3 gNB
NGAP / GTP-U
Open5GS Core
AMF / SMF / UPF

OAI gNB Protocol Stack

L3   RRC — Radio Resource Control
L2   SDAP — Service Data Adaptation
L2   PDCP — Packet Data Convergence
L2   RLC — Radio Link Control
L2   MAC — Medium Access Control
L1   PHY — LDPC, OFDM, MIMO, HARQ

OAI nrUE Protocol Stack

L3   NAS — Non-Access Stratum
L3   RRC — Radio Resource Control
L2   SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC
L1   PHY — Channel Estimation, Decoding
RF   rfsimulator — Software Radio Interface

Lab Modules

10 hands-on modules from setup to advanced scenarios

01

OAI Architecture Overview

Understand OAI project structure, components (gNB, nrUE, CN), build system, and how rfsimulator replaces real RF hardware.

Architecture Components rfsimulator
02

Building OAI from Source

Clone, compile, and build OAI gNB and nrUE. Understand build options, dependencies, and Docker-based deployment.

CMake Docker Build System
03

gNB Configuration Deep Dive

Configure band, SCS, bandwidth, MIMO layers, SSB, CORESET, search spaces. Understand every parameter in gnb.conf.

gnb.conf Band n78 SCS 30kHz CORESET
04

nrUE Configuration

Configure the OAI UE with IMSI, key, OPc, DNN, NSSAI. Connect to gNB via rfsimulator and register with the core.

USIM SUPI/IMSI Authentication
05

Initial Access Procedure

Watch real SSB detection, RACH procedure, RRC Setup, NAS Registration, and PDU Session Establishment step by step.

SSB Sync RACH RRC Setup Registration
06

MAC Scheduler & PHY Analysis

Analyze real MAC scheduling decisions: MCS selection, PRB allocation, HARQ processes, CQI/RI reporting, BLER statistics.

Scheduler MCS/CQI HARQ BLER
07

Data Plane & Throughput Testing

UE gets real IP address. Run ping, iperf3, and curl through the full protocol stack. Measure DL/UL throughput.

iperf3 Throughput Latency GTP-U
08

Wireshark Protocol Analysis

Capture and decode real NGAP, NAS-5GS, RRC, GTP-U packets. Understand every IE in real 3GPP signaling messages.

NGAP NAS-5GS RRC pcap
09

Parameter Tuning Lab

Change bandwidth, numerology, MIMO config, TDD pattern. See real impact on throughput, latency, and capacity.

Bandwidth Numerology TDD Pattern MIMO
10

Advanced: Multi-UE & Slicing

Connect multiple UEs, configure network slices (eMBB/URLLC), observe scheduler behavior under load.

Multi-UE Slicing QoS Load Test

What Makes This Lab Real

Not a simulation — actual 3GPP protocol processing

Real PHY Processing

LDPC encoding/decoding, OFDM modulation, channel estimation, DMRS generation — actual signal processing in software.

Real MAC Scheduling

Proportional fair scheduler, actual PRB allocation per TTI, CQI-to-MCS mapping, HARQ retransmission management.

Real 5G-AKA

Full 5G authentication: SUCI concealment, AUSF/UDM interaction, NAS security mode with real ciphering and integrity.

Real Wireshark Traces

Capture pcaps of actual NGAP, NAS, RRC, and GTP-U messages — same as production network traces.

Prerequisites

Ready to Run a Real 5G gNB?

Start with Module 1 and build your way up to running a complete 5G network.

Start Lab