CommAgility introduces 5G network listening mode software

With the new software, 5G small cell developers can easily integrate NLM capabilities to enable small cells to complete vital synchronization, network monitoring, and configuration steps automatically. Providing an efficient way of adding small cells to a network without sacrificing valuable time to reconfigure, the NLM software reduces risk, time to market, and development cost. Accelerating 5G small cell deployment supports the needs of the rapidly growing 5G market, especially time-sensitive, mission-critical applications that rely on temporary base stations for emergency 5G connectivity.

“Once powered up, 5G small cells must synchronize and configure by detecting surrounding network activity to avoid clashes with other base stations. As a result, deploying new small cells easily and automatically is an important capability for operators, emergency services, and private network owners,” said Alfred Rodriguez, SVP and General Manager at CommAgility. “Our new NLM software will help developers create small cell products that can meet this requirement.”

The NLM software is based on CommAgility’s industry-leading 5G UE (user equipment) PHY software. It is provided as a pre-integrated and tested solution for NXP® Semiconductor’s cost-effective Layerscape Access LA9310 programmable baseband processor, which therefore saves time and development effort for 5G small cell developers.

The NLM software was developed specifically for the 5G FR1/sub-6 GHz frequency range. CommAgility can customize the software to the specific needs of a customer project, including adapting it to other baseband processors if required.

CommAgility’s comprehensive software portfolio for 5G NR small cell product development includes pre-ported and validated PHY and Stack software, a 5G core, and Physical Layer reference chains. This simplifies the development of 5G small cells and private networks, with the software’s flexible architecture making integration easier with hardware accelerators and libraries with versions available for both 5G gNodeB and UE product developers. CommAgility also offers the 5G Reference gNodeB, a pre-integrated reference design, and the SC-RF4-5Gn78 5G reference platform.

The new NLM software will be available later in 2022.