TMY Technology (TMYTEK), a leading innovator in millimeter-wave (mmWave) solutions for 5G/B5G and satellite communications, has introduced the mmW-OpenAirInterface (mmW-OAI) - a powerful, standalone 5G FR2 open-source test platform. Developed in collaboration with Allbesmart, the creators of OAIBOX™, the world’s leading open-source 5G/6G test network, and operating with Software Defined Radios (SDR) from National Instruments, the mmW-OAI is set to advance research and development in next-generation wireless systems.
As 5G evolves into the high-frequency FR2 (millimeter-wave) domain, new opportunities for ultra-high-speed wireless communication emerge, along with increased complexity in system design, testing, and deployment. The mmW-OAI platform addresses these challenges by offering a robust, flexible testbed tailored for both research and small-scale network environments. Built on the OpenAirInterface (OAI) software stack, mmW-OAI delivers an end-to-end 5G system complete with advanced hardware and intuitive management tools.
What is mmW-OAI?
The mmW-OAI is a 5G FR2 standalone open-source test platform designed for full-stack network testing, protocol simulation, and compact deployment scenarios. It integrates OAI’s flexible software stack with advanced mmWave hardware components such as Beamformers, Frequency converters, and Software-Defined Radios (SDRs).
mmW-OAI = mmWave + SDR + OAIBOX
The platform enables seamless emulation of complete 5G networks—from User Equipment (UE) to the gNodeB (gNB) and 5G Core Network (CN5G)—making it ideal for researchers, developers, and R&D engineers.
Technical Specifications
The mmW-OpenAirInterface (mmW-OAI) platform supports 5G NR SA (Standalone) operation using OAI 5G Core Network and OAI gNB, compliant with 3GPP Release 16. It operates in the n257 frequency band with a channel bandwidth of 50 MHz. The transmission mode is SISO, and it utilizes a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 120 kHz. The system supports 256-QAM modulation in the downlink and 16-QAM in the uplink. Operating in standalone (SA) mode, it uses TDD (Time Division Duplex) and supports a DDDSU frame configuration.
Key Features and Benefits
The mmW-OAI platform offers a range of powerful features and benefits tailored for advanced 5G FR2 testing. As an open-source solution, it allows developers to modify the 3GPP-compliant FR2 stack to test and validate their ideas.
FEM TDD Support: FEM time division control integrated. Developers can set different transmission modes via the API to fulfill the user's requirements.
End-to-End Throughput Testing: 5G NR SA End-to-end testing with full monitoring of the OAI stack log. Helps the developer to understand the stack details of the connection established, DL/UL transmission, etc. The system could be configured backward to FR1 for more testing purposes.
Beam Steering Function Ready: Beam control API supported and integrated in the OAI stack. Developers can configure the FEM via API and then trigger specific BeamID in a short period.
Base Station (BS) & Core Network (gNB + CN5G): At the core of the mmW-OAI architecture is the OAIBOX, a high-performance PC that simultaneously runs both the gNB (base station) and CN5G (core network) functions. This platform connects to various hardware components that enable real-time communication. The SDR X410 serves as the transceiver, facilitating the transmission and reception of signals between the network and the user equipment. The UD Box performs crucial functions of frequency up-conversion and down-conversion between Intermediate Frequency (IF) and Radio Frequency (RF) signals, allowing for smooth integration of the millimeter-wave signals. The BBoxOne, a 28 GHz 5G beamformer, is responsible for over-the-air signal transmission and reception, ensuring the system can handle high-frequency communication. The UD Box dynamically switches between transmitting and receiving modes depending on the needs of the system, providing flexibility and efficiency in signal handling.
UE Configuration
- OAI gNB( Base station)
- User Equipment
- Smartphone- iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, or later
- OAI UE- OAI UE stack runs on a PC with NI USRP X410
- COTS UE- Quectel modules. Eg., RM530NGL
Applications
Research Testbed: The mmW-OAI platform serves as an ideal research testbed for experimenting with 5G beam management algorithms and exploring advanced 6G concepts such as Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS).
Private 5G Networks: mmW-OAI is also perfectly suited for private 5G deployments, providing complete infrastructure control without vendor lock-in.
The mmW-OAI testbed integrates millimeter-wave (mmWave) technology with OpenAirInterface (OAI) to create a comprehensive 5G FR2 testing environment. This advanced setup is designed for performing thorough simulations and debugging across different network layers, from User Equipment (UE) to the gNB (next-generation NodeB) and the core network. It features essential components such as mmWave beamformers, frequency converters, and a high-performance PC running the advanced OAI software stack, enabling a fully functional 5G network environment.
The mmW-OAI platform marks a significant step forward in mmWave research and practical 5G FR2 deployment. By blending advanced hardware with an open-source OAI stack, TMYTEK empowers developers and researchers to innovate freely, from beamforming experiments to next-gen 6G applications. The mmW-OAI is a complete, ready-to-use solution for today’s and tomorrow’s wireless frontiers.
