5G NR Device Testing

AMARI Callbox Series for 5g nr device testing

Build repeatable 5G SA and NSA device tests.

Develop and debug 5G modems, smartphones, routers and fixed wireless access devices with the AMARI Callbox Series. Control the radio and core network, inspect signalling and repeat data, voice and mobility scenarios in your lab.

5G SA and NSA · FR1 and optional FR2 · Carrier aggregation · MIMO · VoNR

Discuss your 5G NR test setup

Choose standalone or non-standalone.

5G standalone (SA)

Connect an NR device to a gNodeB and 5G core. Validate registration, authentication, PDU session establishment and application traffic, then investigate 5G-specific procedures and services.

5G non-standalone (NSA)

Combine an LTE anchor with NR using EN-DC and an EPC. Check LTE attachment, NR secondary-cell-group addition and data transfer. Reserve radio resources for both technologies and use a band combination supported by the device.

Build your 5G NR test plan.

Carrier aggregation and MIMO

Configure supported NR carrier combinations and antenna layers, then compare uplink and downlink performance. Review UE capability signalling before selecting carriers, bandwidths and the RF connections.

Bandwidth parts and TDD patterns

Explore initial and dedicated bandwidth parts, BWP switching and supported FDD asymmetric uplink/downlink bandwidth configurations. Vary TDD patterns to investigate the effect of uplink/downlink allocation on your application.

VoNR and EPS fallback

Use the embedded IMS to test IMS registration over NR and VoNR calls. With a suitable LTE target and compatible device, exercise EPS fallback to LTE/VoLTE and inspect the signalling across radio, core and IMS.

Mobility and continuity

Test handover between configured NR cells and supported LTE/NR mobility procedures. Inter-gNodeB scenarios such as Xn handover require two RAN instances: use a Callbox Elite or two Callboxes.

Network slicing and application traffic

Configure supported 5G SA slices and session settings, then check the requested and selected slice information in signalling. Run application traffic and investigate registration or session failures.

Dual SIM and LTE/NR coexistence

Use suitable separate networks to exercise DSDS or DSDA behaviour on compatible devices. Extend coexistence tests to LTE/NR Dynamic Spectrum Sharing with the matching configuration and radio resources.

Match the RF setup to FR1 or FR2.

FR1 development

Select a Callbox that covers the target band, carrier bandwidth and MIMO configuration. Mini and Classic support selected limited-bandwidth NR configurations; Advanced, Ultimate, Extreme and Elite provide resources for wider-bandwidth 5G scenarios.

FR2 and mmWave

FR2 testing is available on compatible Advanced, Ultimate, Extreme and Elite configurations. It requires both the AMARI NW FR2 Option and a band-matched AMARI FR2 Hardware Package. Plan the additional LTE or NR FR1 resources required by the chosen configuration.

Move from a connection to automated validation.

Start from an example

Use a supplied SA or NSA configuration. Set the band, bandwidth, duplex mode and subscriber credentials, then establish a working data connection before adding advanced features.

Inspect the full procedure

Use the WebGUI to review RRC, NAS and core-network signalling alongside radio statistics. For NSA, inspect both the LTE anchor and NR secondary-cell-group configuration.

Repeat and compare

Use the WebSocket API with your device and traffic tools to automate test sequences. Keep configurations and software versions with the logs so firmware regressions can be reproduced.

Choose the resources your test needs.

Choose for the complete SA or NSA scenario, including simultaneous carriers, bandwidth, MIMO and any anchor cell.

Model	Suggested use
AMARI Callbox Mini	Single-cell NR SA development within its bandwidth and antenna limits; for example, one 20 MHz cell with 2x2 MIMO. NSA is not supported on a Mini alone.
AMARI Callbox Classic	Selected limited-bandwidth NR SA/NSA configurations. Allocate resources to the complete setup, including the LTE anchor for NSA.
AMARI Callbox Advanced	A starting point for wider-bandwidth 5G SA/NSA and 4x4 MIMO testing, with optional FR2 configurations.
AMARI Callbox Ultimate	Additional radio resources for multi-cell NR, carrier aggregation and mixed FR1/FR2 scenarios.
AMARI Callbox Extreme	Larger multi-carrier NR configurations and demanding FR1 or optional FR2 test plans.
AMARI Callbox Elite	Two eNB/gNB instances and up to two core networks for separate-network, inter-gNodeB and dual-SIM scenarios.

Carrier and layer combinations depend on the selected hardware, software and device. FR2 needs the option and RF hardware described above. Compare Callbox configurations.

Hardware, software and test setup.

Network and SIM configuration

The platform includes RAN, EPC/5GC, IMS, logs, remote APIs and five test SIM cards. Match the subscriber configuration and the device settings to the selected SA or NSA test.

Device and RF connections

Use a compatible device and a conducted RF connection with suitable attenuation, or a controlled radiated setup. Provide the antenna paths and accessories required for the selected MIMO and frequency configuration.

Software and feature selection

Match each feature to the installed software release and device capabilities. Check the release notes when reproducing a documented scenario.

Three ways to start.

Illustrative lab setups to adapt to your device and test plan.

Example A · NR SA data and slicing

5G SA device + test SIM + suitable Callbox. Establish registration and a PDU session, run application traffic, then compare supported slice and session configurations in the protocol logs.

Example B · NSA connection and throughput

EN-DC-capable device + LTE and NR resources. Establish the LTE anchor, check NR secondary-cell-group addition and run bidirectional traffic. Repeat with supported bandwidth and carrier settings.

Example C · VoNR and EPS fallback

Compatible voice-capable device + IMS-enabled NR and LTE cells. First verify VoNR calls. In a separate run, configure EPS fallback and inspect call establishment on LTE/VoLTE in the logs.

Before you configure your lab.

Are RedCap, eRedCap and NR-NTN covered here?

They have dedicated guidance: see IoT device testing for RedCap and eRedCap, and NTN device testing for NR-NTN and NR direct-to-cell scenarios, including their required options.

Do I need two core networks for Xn handover?

No. Inter-gNodeB handover needs two gNodeB instances, and the documented Xn setup can use a shared 5G core. Choose the RAN and core topology for the actual procedure you want to test.

Tell us what your 5G device needs to do.

Share your device model, SA/NSA mode, bands, bandwidths, carrier combinations and MIMO requirements, plus your voice or mobility scenarios. Our team can match the Callbox, software options and RF hardware to your test plan.