5G TESTING Beyond the next


Jonathan Newell visits the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire to see 5G connected car testing in action


technologies. To answer this need, the government-funded AutoAir


A


consortium was created involving a diverse range of companies including Millbrook, McLaren Applied Technologies, the University of Surrey and telecom innovators such as Airspan Networks, Blu Wireless Technology and Dense Air.


CONNECTED TEST BED Led by Airspan Networks and hosted at Millbrook, the project is a unique development programme for 5G technology. Based on both 4G and 5G small cells that operate on a neutral host basis – a system which allows multiple public and private mobile operators simultaneously to use the same infrastructure using network slicing –which can radically


10 /// Testing & Test Houses /// March 2019


s the global automotive industry continues to sink vast sums of money into the development of connected autonomous vehicles (CAV), there is an imminent need to provide test facilities to aid development activities and stress emerging


improve the economics for 5G networks. The 5G-enabled network with 60GHz millimetre wave


(mmWave) connectivity is provided through bespoke mobile network infrastructure installed around the test tracks, including 77 small cell 2.7GHz and 3.7GHz base stations as well as 22 60GHz mmWave access points, all deployed around nearly sixty masts that are clearly visible across the proving grounds. The network provides real time connectivity with speeds up


to 1Gbps giving accurate location and connectivity capabilities for end-points moving at unprecedented speeds of up to 256kph (160mph).


NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE The development network at Millbrook is like a showcase of all the latest advances in mobile telecommunications technology. According to Paul Senior of Airspan Networks, the infrastructure can be used for prototyping the 5G connected highway and as a testbed for technology providers across the telecommunications industry.


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