The Pico5G Plus
A compact, fully portable 4G/5G network emulator for IoT and single-cell testing. Supports LTE, LTE-M, NB-IoT and 5G SA — ideal for device connectivity validation and power profiling.
Like all Pico5G Series products, the Pico5G Plus is 3GPP release 19 compliance, 3GPP compliant eNB/gNB and EPC/5GC, facilitates functional and performance testing, and is driven by a carrier-grade software suite. The Pico5G Plus’s compact, fully portable design features a built-in monitor and keyboard, allowing you to replicate realistic field conditions from virtually anywhere.
Capabilities
4G and 5G Support
The Pico5G Plus supports LTE, LTE-M, 5G SA, 5G non-SA, and 5G Reduced Capacity ((e)RedCap). Connects to CAT-M1 devices.
NB-IoT Support
The Pico5G Plus supports standalone, in-band and guard-band NB-IoT to connect NB1 and NB2 devices.
NTN Support
The Pico5G Plus supports NR-NTN and NB-IoT-NTN, including regenerative and transparent modes of operation. It works across all orbit types and comes with an integrated NTN channel simulator and constellation tool.
VoLTE VoNR VoWiFi
The Pico5G Plus’s embedded IMS Server allows VoLTE, VioLTE, VoNR, VioNR, SMS and emergency call testing. The embedded N3IWF allows VoWiFi by connecting an external WiFi access point.
Up to 1000 UEs
The Pico5G Plus is powered by a macro base station software, so it can handle up to 1000 concurrent active UEs.
600 Mbps - 200 Mbps
The Pico5G Plus can deliver up 600 Mbps in downlink and 200 Mbps in uplink.
Carrier Aggregation
The Pico5G Plus can aggregate multiple TDD and FDD LTE and NR FR1 cells for high throughput testing.
Features
Easy Configuration
Offers easy configuration thanks to JSON files with example configurations and a modern GUI with preloaded customizable scenarios and cases.
End-to-End and Feature Testing
Runs on standard Linux in user space mode allowing easy integration with IP services. Test features to override the nominal protocol behavior in order to simulate error cases.
Automatic Test Setup and Scripting
Offers WebSocket API allowing the sending of remote commands to ease test automation. Preconfigured, customizable test cases and scenarios get you started faster.
Logging and Measuring
Provides selective logging and display of all 3GPP LTE and NR stacks as well as useful graphs and analytic tools.
Channel Simulation
Simulates different DL channel types as per 3GPP models specified in 36.101 and 38.141 specifications. Simulation of NTN channels (delay and doppler) for GEO, MEO and LEO constellations.
High Performance and 3GPP Features
Supports multiple UEs and cells and high data rates in LTE and NR. Has early access to 3GPP features for rapid validation of features under development.
Frequency Agnostic
Supports a wide range of FDD and TDD frequency bands even nonstandard ones allowing to test in Sub-6GHz and mmWave.
Integrated Monitor and Keyboard
Equipped with a built-in monitor and keyboard directly in the chassis, allowing for full mobility.
Possible RAN Configurations
Constraints:
The Pico5G Plus integrates three SDRs, with each SDR capable of supporting Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) or 2×2 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) configurations with a maximum bandwidth of 56 MHz. Users have the flexibility to assign each SDR to a specific frequency, thereby configuring either a SISO or 2×2 channel. Additionally, two SDRs can be aggregated to enable 4×4 MIMO functionality. Two SDRs can be combined to provide a 100MHz channel, with a performance trade-off (for optimal performance in a 100MHz channel, see the Pico5G Pro or the Pico5G Ultra).
The limitations imposed by the software license restricts the total bandwidth of cells multiplied by the number of MIMO layers to 120MHz.
Example:
| 4G LTE | 3 cells 20MHz 2x2 |
| 1 cell 20 MHz 4x4 + 1 cell 20MHz 2x2 | |
| 5G NR SA Mode | 1 5G cell 50MHz 2x2 |
| 3 cells 20MHz 2x2 | |
| 3 cells 40 MHz SISO | |
| 5G NR NSA Mode | 1 5G NR 50MHz 2x2 + 1 LTE 10MHz 2x2 |
| 1 cell 5G NR 40 MHz 2x2 + 1 cell LTE 20 MHz 2x2 | |
| 1 cell 5G NR 40 MHz SISO + 2 cells LTE 20 MHz 2x2 | |
| NB-IOT | 3 NB-IoT standalone cells |
| 3 LTE cells with an in-band or guard-band NB-IoT cell each | |
| LTE-M | 3 LTE cells with CAT M1 support |
Want Optimal 100MHz Channel Performance?
Check out the Pico5G Pro or Pico5G Ultra.
Architecture
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Pico5G Plus is a portable desktop 4G/5G network emulator from Nutaq Technologies. It is the first multi-cell platform in the Pico5G family, supporting 5G SA and NSA, intra-gNB handover, and carrier aggregation across up to three concurrent cells. It includes a built-in monitor and keyboard and is 3GPP Release 19 compliant.
The Pico5G Plus supports up to three concurrent cells (vs. one on the Lite), 5G NSA (in addition to SA), intra-gNB handover, and carrier aggregation. It delivers up to 600 Mbps downlink (vs. 200 Mbps), supports up to 1,000 concurrent UEs (vs. 500), and includes a built-in monitor and keyboard. It uses three PCIe 2x2 SDR cards, allowing for 4x4 MIMO by combining two cards.
Yes. The Pico5G Plus supports both 5G Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA). NSA configurations require at least one LTE anchor cell and one NR cell — the Plus supports this with its three SDRs.
The Pico5G Plus supports up to 600 Mbps in the downlink and 200 Mbps in the uplink.
The Pico5G Plus integrates three PCIe 2x2 SDR cards, each supporting up to 56 MHz bandwidth with SISO or 2x2 MIMO. Two SDRs can be combined for 4x4 MIMO. The software license caps the total bandwidth multiplied by MIMO layers at 120 MHz. For example: 3 cells at 20 MHz 2x2, or 1 cell at 20 MHz 4x4 + 1 cell at 20 MHz 2x2.
Two SDR cards on the Plus can be combined to produce a 100 MHz channel, but this involves a performance trade-off. For optimal, native 100 MHz channel performance, the Pico5G Pro or Pico5G Ultra is recommended.
Yes. The Pico5G Plus supports intra-gNB handover between cells on a single unit. For inter-gNB handover (between two separate Pico5G units), two devices are required.
Yes. The Pico5G Plus includes an integrated monitor and keyboard directly in the chassis, making it a fully self-contained and portable testing station.
The Pico5G Plus supports up to 1,000 concurrent active UEs.
Yes. The Pico5G Plus supports NR-NTN and NB-IoT-NTN, including regenerative and transparent modes, across GEO, MEO, and LEO orbit types, with integrated NTN channel and Doppler simulation.