Flexible 5G Testbed for DoD Research Support
Abstract
Wireless technologies are becoming ubiquitous, and more devices are becoming automated and networked into the so-called Internet of Things (IoT), particularly using cellular networks. The major change in the evolution to the 5th generation (5G) services, compared to previous wireless generations, is that the new services emphasize Machine to Machine (M2M) communications. A large segment of the economy will depend on these technologies and the Defense sector is expected to be one of the most important users. Additionally, the DoD will need to protect the national cyber-infrastructure. 5G requires diversifying the technology to support specialized applications. The three major elements of 5G include the User Equipment (UE), the gNodeB (the gNB is a cellular base station), and the Ò5G CoreÓ (an advanced computer network and virtualized management functions). We need new instrumentation and emulation capabilities to support research and education efforts related to the new 5G technologies and their services. Therefore, we propose to acquire a 5G flexible testbed including a Spirent gNB with embedded Ò5G-CoreÓ, a portable gNB from 4K Solutions, and a Keysight FieldFox Spectrum Analyzer with 5G capabilities. Acquiring this testbed will enable research opportunities in Cyber security, Electromagnetic Phenomena, Protocol Performance, Edge Computing, and explore new applications in 5G. In the past, multiple faculty members have conducted research At UTEP on different areas related to wireless systems, such as radio interference, security, mobile computing, and protocol emulation. However, these were isolated efforts and now we need the integrated platform to address multiple domains simultaneously to be able to conduct full endÐto-end experiments. This capability is of special interest to the DoD in areas of Cybersecurity and Electronic Warfare research, as well as Test and Evaluation of new systems to deploy. Students taking courses in communications, computing, and security, will have the opportunity to learn directly about the modern technologies. The primary departments benefiting from the platform will be Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Other potential users include multidisciplinary research that needs to test applications offered by the new 5G services. Finally, the platform can be leveraged in outreach activities. UTEP offers research experiences to K-12 teachers and students, teacher workshops and student summer camps to attract more students into STEM fields. The testbed can demonstrate how the new technology works, teach security concepts, and dispel myths about 5G. Our region has a large, underserved minority population where 82% are Hispanic. A complete 5G testbed will give the university, its students, and the local community a competitive advantage thanks to having an opportunity to interact with and conduct cutting edge research in the field of 5G and future networks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 02, 2022
- Source ID
- W911NF2210202
Entities
People
- Virgilio Gonzalez
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Texas at El Paso