The 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC) aims to provide state-of-the-art 5G test and demonstration platforms, which include a Cloud-RAN (C-RAN) test platform to supports clusters of remote radio heads (RRH) supported by high performance core processing facilities for experimental research on advanced techniques such as joint transmission coordinated multi-point transmission and reception (CoMP) schemes. In addition, the test network provides a unique environment to test operation of heterogeneous access networks in a real-life environment. In the context of the 5G-DRIVE, it will focus on the development and evaluation of the eMBB scenario.
The Surrey testbed is connected to the Vodafone Core Network, and covers a 4 km² area for the testing of 5G technologies. The coverage area encompasses a stretch of motorway, dense urban radio environments. The outdoor deployment consists of 44 sites and 65 cells (of which 3 are macro cells, the remainder are small and ultra-dense cells as shown in Figure 7). This end-to-end testbed incorporates a different range of frequency bands (3.5 GHz, 28 GHz, and 60 GHz) and allows the testing and trialing of new air-interface solutions. Supported by a mix of wireless and fibre optic backhaul connectivity, trials can be matched to meet industry requirements.
