CoreSIM: Core Emulation Solution

Make Radio Access Network Testing Easier

A 4G/5G core simulator, CoreSIM makes Radio Access Network testing easier by eliminating Core Network unwanted dependencies and allowing an easily controllable, repeatable test environment setup. RAN test efforts can thus be concentrated on the Device Under Test, speeding up 3GPP and O-RAN standards implementation.

Highly scalable, CoreSIM enables the setup of multiple independent test sessions. Realistic traffic mixes of data, voice, video, or application flows can be created using the built-in traffic generator.

Quality of experience metrics

Users have access to hundreds of comprehensive statistics in real-time during text execution with userconfigurable views. All statistics are also available after the test in CSV format for post-processing. 

Advanced filtering functionality is embedded in the tool allowing users to easily investigate any abnormal behavior happening in the network.

5G NSA (Option 3x) and LTE RAN validation

In the non-standalone (NSA) network topology, or in case of LTE only RAN, the CoreSIM simulates MME and SGW components over S1-MME and S1-U interfaces.

It can be employed as a standalone tool or in combination with Keysight UeSIM, RuSIM or DuSIM emulators, for a complete wrap-around testing of LTE eNodeB, 5G gNodeB or O-RAN O-DU and O-CU components.

5G SA RAN validation

In the 5G standalone (SA) topology, the CoreSIM simulates control plane traffic from the AMF over the N1 and N2 interfaces, and user plane traffic from the UPF over the N3 interface towards the NG-RAN.

Full automation via REST APIs is available, CoreSIM allows users to create regressions for continuous validation of product quality. Complete RestAPI documentation available, including configuration samples, allowing users to easily integrate it into an existing automation platform or use Keysight’s OpenTAP Automation platform.

Key benefits

• Support for 5G Core emulation in both NSA (Option 3x) and SA wrap-around scenarios

• Highly scalable to multiple independent test session with stateful protocol emulation.

• Support of realistic traffic mixes including up to tens of thousands of UEs per instance – using built-in traffic generator or IP passthrough option

• Support for security testing based on 3GPP SCAS and O-RAN security specifications

• Control plane impairment functionality available, allowing building negative testing scenarios

• IPSEC support for testing gNBs by simulating the Security GW (SeGW)

• 3GPP IPSEC support for voice traffic.

• Quality of Experience metrics: real-time statistics with user-configurable views and post-processing data in CSV format

• Full automation via OpenTAP platform. Integration with other systems using REST APIs. Complete documentation and samples available

• Keysight hardware optionally available for on-prem installation

• Can be used as a standalone test tool or in combination with other Keysight O-RAN test solutions.