LTE/NR Base Station Software

Introduction

LTEENB allows to build a real 4G LTE/5G NR base station (called an eNodeB (4G) or gNodeB (5G)) using a standard PC and a low cost software radio frontend. All the physical layer and protocol layer processing is done in real time inside the PC, so no dedicated hardware is necessary. NB-IoT and Cat-M1 devices are also suppored. The software is now developped and distributed by Amarisoft.

LTEENB is provided with a complete Evolved Packet Core (EPC) so that it can work without an existing LTE network behind it. In short, it is possible to use it like a Wifi access point. The EPC contains the following programs:

LTEMME is an MME including the HSS, SGW and PGW.
LTEIMS is an IMS server providing voice (VoLTE) and SMS support.
LTEMBMSGW is an MBMS gateway.

Example configuration

Potential use

Low cost LTE network simulator. Since everything runs on a PC, it is very easy to add and test new LTE features.
Educational purposes. Configuring and running a base station is a way to learn many details of LTE.
Low cost LTE network infrastructure for private or public networks.

Availability

The LTE/NR eNodeB/gNodeB software is commercialized by Amarisoft.

A UE simulator is now available. It simulates hundreds of terminals sharing the same antenna. It uses the same hardware configuration as the LTE eNodeB.

An embebbed NB-IoT modem based on Amarisoft UE software.

References

sharetechnote.com is a good starting point to learn more about LTE and other mobile standards.
The LTE 3GPP specifications are freely available.

Fabrice Bellard - http://bellard.org/