AMARI Callbox Series

The 4G/5G network on your desk

The AMARI Callbox emerges as the ideal solution tailored for the comprehensive testing of 5G NSA and SA, LTE, LTE-M, and NB-IoT devices. Functioning seamlessly as a 3GPP compliant evolved eNodeB (eNB) / gNodeB (gNB) and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) / 5G Core (5GC), it facilitates both functional and performance testing. Empowered by a carrier-grade software suite used in network deployment, the Callbox serves as a pivotal asset for proof of concept in private network deployments.

AMARI Callbox Series high level architecture

Five products tailored to meet your requirements

The AMARI Callbox Series is designed with versatility in mind, offering five distinct products to cater to varying needs: Mini, Classic, Advanced, Ultimate, and Extreme. Each product within the series is meticulously crafted to address specific testing requirements, ensuring a tailored and comprehensive approach to device evaluation across different technological landscapes.

AMARI Callbox Mini

AMARI Callbox Classic

AMARI Callbox Advanced

AMARI Callbox Ultimate

AMARI Callbox Extreme

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Capabilities

5G

The callbox can act as a 5G standalone mode (SA) or 5G non-standalone mode (NSA) network. 5G Non Terrestrial Network (NTN) and 5G Reduced Capacity (RedCap) are also supported.

LTE

Even if it is designed for 5G, this callbox provides with the best of Amarisoft LTE technology.

LTE-M

The callbox supports LTE-M in both FDD and TDD to connect CAT-M1 devices.

NB-IOT

The callbox supports standalone, in-band and guard-band NB-IOT to connect NB1 and NB2 devices. It also supports Non Terrestrial Network (NTN) NB-IOT.

Up to 1000 UEs

Powered by a macro base station software, depending on the callbox model and configuration, it can handle up to 1000 concurrent active UEs.

9 Gbps - 1 Gbps

Depending on the callbox configuration and the UE capabilities, the callbox can deliver up 9 Gbps in downlink and 1 Gbps in uplink.

Handover

On a single callbox, intra eNB/gNB handover is supported. Inter eNB/gNB handover is supported using two callboxes.

Carrier aggregation

The callbox can aggregate multiple TDD and FDD LTE, NR FR1 and NR FR2 cells for high throughput testing.

VoLTE VoNR VoWiFi

The 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.

Highlighted features

Logging and Measurements

Selective logging and display of all layers of 3GPP LTE and NR stacks as well as useful graphs and analytic tools. Log example

Automatic Test Setup and Scripting

Extensive WebSocket API allowing to send remote commands to eNodeB, ng-eNodeB, gNodeB, EPC and 5GC to ease test automation. Tutorial

Easy Configuration

Easy configuration thanks to JSON files with example configurations already included in each software release for eNodeB, ng-eNodeB, gNodeB, EPC and 5GC.

End to End Data Testing

Running on top of standard Linux in user space mode allowing easy integration with IP services.

Channel Simulation

Simulation of different DL channel types as per 3GPP models specified in 36.101 and 38.141 specifications. Tutorial

Feature testing

Test features to override the nominal protocol behavior in order to simulate error cases.

High Performance

Highly optimized software supporting multiple UEs and cells and high data rates in LTE and NR.

3GPP Features

Early access to 3GPP features for rapid validation of features under development.

Frequency Agnostic

Support of a wide range of FDD and TDD frequency bands even nonstandard ones allowing to test in Sub-6GHz and mmWave. mmWave available on the AMARI Callbox Advanced, Ultimate and Extreme as an option. Tutorial

Architecture

Software components

vRAN eNodeB gNodeB

A release 18 full software eNodeB gNodeB including layer3, layer 2, layer1 and physical layer. It also includes a channel simulator. It connects to a split 8 or split 7.2 radio front end through an open API via a driver. It supports a standard S1/NG interface to connect a 4G or 5G core network. The eNodeB gNodeB is configurable through hundreds of parameters in a text file in JSON format. It has a WebSocket API for automation, and a command line interface. Detailed spec

Technical doc

eNodeB gNodeB vRAN low level architecture and interfaces

4G 5G CORE

A compact release 18 core network with built-in MME, SGW, PGW, PCRF, HSS, EIR, ePDG, AMF, AUSF, SMF, UPF, UDM and 5G-EIR. Detailed spec

Technical doc

4G CORE EPC and 5G CORE 5GC architecture and interfaces

IMS Server

An IMS standalone simple server. It has a built-in P-CSCF, I-CSCF, S-CSCF, HSS. Detailed spec

Technical doc

eMBMS Gateway

An LTE multimedia broadcast multicast services gateway with buit-in MCE. Detailed spec

Technical doc

eMBMS Server architecture and interfaces

Hardware components

The product will incorporate one or multiple AMARI PCIe SDR 2x2 Cards or AMARI PCIe SDR 100 4x4 Cards, depending on the AMARI Callbox model.

AMARI PCIe SDR 2x2 Card

AMARI PCIe SDR 2x2 is a software defined radio (SDR) card using AD9361 2x2 RF transceiver. It supports MIMO 2x2, FDD and TDD operations in any frequency between 500 MHz and 6GHz. It has an integrated GPS for precise time and frequency synchronization. The cards can be easily chained thanks to a provided cable allowing clock and PPS propagation in between the cards. This will facilitate testing of higher MIMO layers and carrier aggregation. The total bandwidth of the card is 56 MHz, and its output power is around 0 dBm depending on the used frequency. The card requires at least gen 2 PCIe slot. This RF is used in AMARI Callbox Mini, AMARI Callbox Classic and AMARI UE Simbox LTE Series products.

Technical doc

AMARI PCIe SDR 2x2 Card is an Amarisoft Software Defined Radio designed for LTE

AMARI PCIe SDR 2x2 Card technical specification
Dimensions H × W × D	2 cm × 11.5 cm × 12.8 cm
Weight	0.1 kg
Frequency range	500 MHz to 6.0 GHz
RF bandwidth	200 KHz to 56 MHz
Power supply voltage	12 V DC input
Operation mode	FDD and TDD
MIMO	2x2
ADC/DAC sample rate	61.44 MS/s
ADC/DAC resolution	12 bits
Frequency accuracy	2 ppm
PCIe minimum requirements	1x / Gen 2
LTE 20MHz 64QAM EVM	<4% RMS (f<3.5 GHz) <2% RMS (f<2.6 GHz)
Synchronization	Internal clock , PPS signal, GPS , Reference external clock (LVDS)

AMARI PCIe SDR 100 4x4 Card

AMARI PCIe SDR 100 4x4 is a software defined radio (SDR) card based on AD9371 2x2 RF transceivers. It supports MIMO 4x4, FDD and TDD operations in any frequency between 400 MHz and 6GHz. It has an integrated GPS for accurate time and frequency synchronization. The cards can be easily chained thanks to a provided cable allowing clock and PPS propagation in between the cards. This will facilitate testing of higher MIMO layers and carrier aggregation. The total bandwidth of the card is 100 MHz, and its output power is around 12 dBm depending on the frequency used. The card requires at least gen 3 PCIe slot. This RF is used in AMARI Callbox Advanced, AMARI Callbox Ultimate, AMARI Callbox Extreme, AMARI UE Simbox E Series and AMARI UE Simbox MBS Series products.

Technical doc

AMARI PCIe SDR 100 4x4 Card is an Amarisoft Software Defined Radio designed for 5G

AMARI PCIe SDR 100 4x4 Card technical specification
Dimensions H × W × D	2 cm × 13 cm × 22 cm
Weight	0.2 kg
Frequency range	400 MHz to 6.0 GHz
RF bandwidth	1.4 MHz to 100 MHz
Power supply voltage	12 V DC input
Operation mode	FDD and TDD
MIMO	4x4
ADC/DAC sample rate	122.88 MS/s
ADC/DAC resolution	12 bits
Frequency accuracy	< 1 ppm
PCIe minimum requirements	8x / Gen 3
LTE 20MHz 64QAM EVM	<4% RMS (f<3.5 GHz) <2% RMS (f<2.6 GHz)
Synchronization	Internal clock , PPS signal, GPS , Reference external clock (LVDS)

AMARI FR2 Hardware Package

The AMARI FR2 HW Package enables mmWave technology on the AMARI Callbox Advanced, Ultimate, and Extreme and AMARI UE Simbox MBS models. It comprises a UDC (Up-Down Converter), RF cables, and horn antennas. The UDC serves to convert the sub6 signal from the AMARI PCIe SDR 100 4x4 Card into mmWave signal, and vice versa.

5G up down converter (UDC) for 5G FR2 or 5G mmWave

AMARI UDC technical specification
Dimensions H × W × D	4 cm × 9.5 cm × 27.5 cm
Weight	0.2 kg
Frequency range	two SKUs: 24 to 30 GHz or 37 to 40 GHz
RF bandwidth	1 GHz
Power supply voltage	12 V DC input

AMARI Callbox Series comparison

All callboxes share the same software, with distinctions arising from variations in hardware components such as CPU power and the number and type of SDRs. These differences impact capacity metrics such as the number of cells, cell bandwidth, and MIMO layers, as well as the availability of certain features (e.g., intra eNB/gNB handover or NSA mode requiring at least two cells).
The AMARI Callbox Mini, tailored for IOT, primarily serves NB-IOT, LTE-M, and RedCap when only a single cell is necessary.
The AMARI Callbox Classic, on the other hand, is designed to support the traditional LTE configuration of three sectors, 20MHz, 2x2.
While both the Mini and the Classic accommodate some 5G setups with limited bandwidths, the AMARI Callbox Advanced, Ultimate, and Extreme specifically target 5G scenarios. The Advanced, Ultimate, and Extreme employ a new generation of SDRs to facilitate 5G SA and NSA modes across multiple 100MHz FR1 and FR2 carriers.

Use Case	Product	4G LTE, LTE-M, NB-IOT, 5G NR FR1 or RedCap	4G LTE, 5G NR FR1	5G NR FR2
		Number of cells
		up to 20 MHz 2x2	up to 100 MHz 4x4	up to 100 MHz 2x2
IOT	Mini	1
LTE	Classic	3
5G	Advanced	4	2	1 + 1 LTE/NR FR1 anchor
5G+	Ultimate	8	4	2 + 1 LTE/NR FR1 anchor
5G+	Extreme	12	6	10 + 1 LTE/NR FR1 anchor

Select an AMARI Callbox based on target configuration

NB-IOT or LTE-M or RedCap cells: LTE 2x2 cells: LTE 4x4 cells: 5G SA FR1 20 MHz 2x2 cells: 5G SA FR1 100 MHz 4x4 cells: 5G NSA FR1 100 MHz cells + LTE anchor: 5G SA FR2 100 MHz 2x2 cells + FR1 anchor: 5G NSA FR2 100 MHz 2x2 cells + LTE anchor:

AMARI Callbox Mini

AMARI Callbox Classic

AMARI Callbox Advanced

AMARI Callbox Ultimate

AMARI Callbox Extreme

Use cases view all

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