Sarokal Test Systems Releases First Customer Specific Implementation of an Ethernet-based 5G Fronthaul Protocol

OULU, Finland, April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Sarokal Test Systems has released their first customer specific implementation of an Ethernet-based 5G Fronthaul protocol. This solution enables Sarokal X-STEP™ testers to emulate Ethernet-based Fronthaul traffic to develop 5G Fronthaul devices, like centralized and distributed baseband units (BBU), remote radio units (RRU), and different aggregation and switch units.

"When moving to 5G Fronthaul networks, Ethernet-based protocols are becoming more important. It is not feasible anymore to have direct point-to-point, always-on connections between baseband units and radio heads. Also, the network topology is changing as new units, like switches and radio aggregation units, are integrated as part of the Fronthaul network, says Harri Valasma, the CEO at Sarokal Test Systems.

Development work for public Ethernet-based Fronthaul specifications, including eCPRI and IEEE 1914, is currently ongoing and specifications are scheduled to come out starting from the second half of 2017. In the meanwhile, equipment manufacturers develop their Ethernet-based Fronthaul variants for R&D and demonstration purposes. Some of these variants may continue to exist as proprietary protocols even after the public standards are in place.

"The unique architecture of X-STEP makes it possible to support any of these variants, and we have already delivered our first Ethernet-based Fronthaul testers to our customers. Our ability to control and see everything literally in sent and received data is the key to enabling vendors to explore different implementations and proprietary solutions, as well as public standards", Valasma continues.  

About Sarokal Test Systems 

Sarokal Test Systems provides innovative test solutions for Fronthaul networks. Our CPRI, OBSAI, JESD204, and Ethernet solutions enable users like chipset vendors, Fronthaul equipment manufacturers, and telecom operators to test and verify their 4G and 5G network devices.

Sarokal X-STEP™ products provide means to generate, capture, and analyze bit accurate Fronthaul traffic with various line rates and protocols. With the 100% visibility and control over Fronthaul traffic, X-STEP can ensure full interoperability of BBUs and RRHs already in the early R&D phase, and efficiently discover and correct interoperability issues in the laboratory or field. This enables ecosystem-wide cooperation, thorough verification, and interoperability among devices from different vendors.

For more information, visit the company´s website http://www.sarokal.com

Sarokal Test Systems Oy, Paulaharjuntie 20 B 2, 90530 Oulu, Finland, Phone: +358 50 302 9392, Sales: [email protected]

SOURCE Sarokal Test Systems