SDR-based 5G NR Control Channel Analysis Equipment for Network Monitoring

This paper describes the implementation of 5G New Radio (NR) network monitoring equipment using software defined radio (SDR). Network operation monitoring is performed based on the radio resource control (RRC) message and control channel analysis. The proposed measurement equipment is capable of synchronization with available network and performing control channel information interpretation and analysis. In order to validate the operation of the proposed monitoring equipment, the measurement results have been compared with the commercially available diagnostic monitor tool, which can directly access data from a smartphone chipset. The performed measurements validate correct operation of the proposed measurement equipment.