White Paper

Real-world Testing
of MU-MIMO
Open RAN Equipment
with the NITRO® Wireless TM500 Network Tester
 White Paper

Abstract
Testing gNodeBs in the lab under ideal conditions is an essential part of product development
to ensure products conform to 3GPP Specifications. However, it is equally important to test
under imperfect conditions to ensure that products will work properly when deployed by
service providers.

In the case of Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), inter-beam interference can have a significant impact
on real-world performance if the O-DU (Open Distributed Unit) makes incorrect decisions on
beamforming weights.

This paper explains how the digital spatial models can be used to simulate inter-beam
interference to enable engineers to dynamically model O-RU (Open Radio Unit) antenna array
geometry, beamforming weights and different angles of arrival.

This ensures that when gNBs are deployed, their performance matches what has been promised
to service providers.

2 Real-world Testing of MU-MIMO Open RAN Equipment

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TA B L E O F
CONTENTS

MU-MIMO Benefits............................ 4
Getting MU-MIMO Wrong
in the Real-world.............................. 4
Maximize QoS for MU-MIMO Users......5
Testing over RF is Complex,
Expensive and Can be Difficult
to Scale.............................................6
Recommended Tests to Perform
in the Lab..........................................7
Benefits of Testing the O-DU
or O-DU/O-CU in Isolation ................ 8
Summary...........................................9

3 Real-world Testing of MU-MIMO Open RAN Equipment

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MU-MIMO Benefits
One of the key technologies in 5GNR (5G New Radio) is Multi-User MIMO. With MU-MIMO, two or
more UE’s (User Equipment’s) are simultaneously scheduled on the same time and frequency
resources, thus maximizing spectrum efficiency, which is an important KPI (Key Performance
Indicator) for every Service Provider.

User 1 User 1

User 2 Layer Pre- User 2

Mapping coding

User 3 User 3

1853.900.0724

Figure 1: Resource simultaneous scheduling

This is possible by spatially separating the UE, which means UE signals follow a different path in
space without interfering with each other.

To make this possible, the gNB utilizes the channel properties and with the appropriate
beamforming weights applied on the data, it minimizes the interference between the UE.

Getting MU-MIMO Wrong, in the Real-world

The mathematics and algorithms in the gNB can be complex and quite a few aspects can
go wrong …

For example incorrect channel estimation, (lack of reciprocity in case of TDD (Time Division
Duplex), poor receiver design or a mismatching decision between the beam weight vectors and the
observed channel (poor precoding algorithm).

4 Real-world Testing of MU-MIMO Open RAN Equipment

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In such a case, the results are high inter-beam interference which leads to low throughput, poor
Quality of Service and experience for the end user.

In contrast, a well-tuned scheduling algorithm and design can lead to gains in throughput for 2,
4, 8 and even more UE concurrently, at the same time and frequency, maximizing not only the
customer experience but also the spectrum efficiency.

This means maximum Return on Investment (ROI) for the Service Providers.

Maximize QoS for MU-MIMO Users

End-to-end MU-MIMO over RF in the lab is an established validation methodology of the gNB
performance.

The gNB antenna elements (32, 64 TRX) are connected to a beamforming network which can have
the form of Butler Matrix, Phase Shift Matrix or even Fading Channel Simulator.

These tools emulate static or dynamic spatial channels and enable 8,16 etc. layers (data streams)
of separation at their output ports.

The data streams are then directed to the UE Emulator, thus emulating different physical UE
locations (MU-MIMO regions).

A good or poor gNB beamforming scheduling decision can make a huge difference in
end-user experience.

A Good gNB beamforming A poor gNB beamforming

scheduling decision scheduling decision

Minimize Low data rates and poor end user experience

interference
and maximize throughput

Figure 2: Good vs. Poor scheduling decisions

5 Real-world Testing of MU-MIMO Open RAN Equipment

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Testing over RF is complex, expensive and can be difficult to scale

The cables between the gNB and beamforming network must be phased aligned, adding to the
cost. The system requires initial calibration which must be repeated each time the setup changes.

In Open RAN, the gNB is disaggregated (O-RU, O-DU and O-CU) with standardized (by O-RAN
ALLIANCE) interfaces between each component.

• O-RAN Fronthaul between the O-RU and O-DU

• F1 Interface between the O-DU and O-CU

FUNCTIONAL / PERFORMANCE / CAPACITY TESTING / TROUBLESHOOTING & ASSURANCE

E
O-RAN

4.5 RRH
Fronthaul Midhaul Backhaul
4G C-RAN 4G/5G Core Network Interfaces
SMO/RIC Xn S1
01, 02, E2 X2
N2
Option 7.2x F1 Interface
5G O-RU O-RAN/eCPRI 5G O-DU (Ethernet) 5G O-CU EPC / NGC

RANtoCore

UEO-RU UERF O-DUO-RU O-RUO-DU O-DUO-CU O-CUOCU CNO-CU O-CUCN CNCN

Complete set of Network Test Solutions & Services for 4G/5G, Open RAN and Cloud Networks

TM500 Family
Figure 3: Open RAN Network TeraVM Family

Single point R&S®

FSVA3000 VSA
of control

R&S®
SMW200A VSG
End User Simulation
Different O-RU categories are specified
G and G Device and
Application emulation
O-DU Emulation
O-RU (OFH) Test
depending
O-RU Emulation
O-DU (OFH) Test
on the
O-CU Emulation
O-DU (F1) Test
O-RUO-DU
E2 Emulation
RIC Test
complexity.
Emulation RAN Emulation Core Emulation App
Emulation
O-CU (F1 ) Test Core Test RAN Test

Flexible test deployment via dedicated hardware or cloud-native platforms (Taas, Saas, Laas)

O-RU Types 1049-3.900.0722

CAT-A CAT-B CAT-C ULPI

Most Established Established and supports MIMO precoding, Uplink Performance Improvement
most likely for MU-MIMO Newest standardization

Figure 4: O-RU Categories

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CAT-B O-RU supports MIMO precoding in the O-RU and is the most common type of O-RU today for
MU-MIMO.

The channel estimation and beam weight calculation is performed in the O-DU. This means all the
intelligent beamforming decisions are made in the O-DU.

Instead of the complex RF setup, it is possible to test MU-MIMO (how well the O-DU beam forming
works) over digital Open RAN Fronthaul interface.

This is done by emulating UE along with O-RU and connecting to the O-DU over eCPRI link.

The MU-MIMO performance and effectiveness of the O-DU can be tested in isolation before
integration with real O-RU.

Recommended Tests to Perform in the Lab

MU-MIMO over Digital Open RAN Fronthaul Interface

1. Simple SU-MIMO Test 3. MU-MIMO Test with digitally

emulated beamforming
2. MU-MIMO Test
The spatial channel, that otherwise
• Typical scenarios: would require a beamforming network,
• 4x spatially mixed UE is digitally emulated (O-RU Emulation).
with 2x or 4x Layers per UE The implementation of the channel and
• 8x spatially mixed UE its application to the data path between the
with 2x Layers per UE UE and O-RU Emulator and the O-DU is key.

Channel can be initially benign and static to

establish that basic connectivity works as
expected.

Test Tool Requirements

• Spatial channel emulation • Frequency

• O-RU emulated antenna parameters • Beamforming weights, etc.
• Beam patterns

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Incorrect gNB decisions lead to

interference and poor end user
Intra-Beam Mobility
experience, correct gNB decisions
maximize throughput.

Intra-Beam Mobility

Figure 5: Beam Mobility

Benefits of Testing the O-DU or O-DU/O-CU in Isolation

MU-MIMO End-to-end Test (Open RAN) Lots of data processing

happening in the O-DU

UE/O-RU Emulator TeraVM Core Emulator and

Real Data Applications
O-DU O-CU
System Under Test 1872.900.1024

Figure 6: Testing MU-MIMO over Open RAN Fronthaul

Testing the O-DU or O-DU/O-CU in isolation takes away complexity and RF cost while, if done
accurately, fully testing and validating how the gNB applies the beamforming algorithms and
exercises MU-MIMO.

To be able to perform this successfully, you need a mathematically sophisticated solution that can
implement and design the parameters that contribute to the channel orthogonality effectively.

Testing MU-MIMO Over the Open RAN Fronthaul

The VIAVI TM500 embedded digital spatial model, and the tools provided for easy test set up and
scenario generation, can be used to simulate inter-beam interference to enable engineers to
dynamically model O-RU antenna array geometry, beamforming weights and different angles of arrival.

8 Real-world Testing of MU-MIMO Open RAN Equipment

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Summary
To ensure that when gNBs are deployed, their performance matches what has been promised
to service providers, there are multiple ways of testing MU-MIMO implementations. This paper
showcases how testing over the O-RAN Fronthaul and into the O-DU can be a more simple and
cost-effective way of testing MU-MIMO in the lab before deployment.

It is important to not only test gNBs in perfect conditions, but also in imperfect ones to truly
understand the impact on end user performance, especially when poor gNB beamforming
scheduling decisions are made.

VIAVI is ready to work with you on new methods of testing MU-MIMO to ensure optimum network
performance when deployed.

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© 2024 VIAVI Solutions Inc.

Product specifications and descriptions in this document are subject to change mu-mimo-wp-wir-nse-ae
without notice. Patented as described at viavisolutions.com/patents 30194245 900 1024