INL is driven to move wireless technology solutions from concept and design through validation and deployment. The Wireless Test Bed  provides wireless and telecommunications technical expertise, systems and environments to enable:

  • Testing and demonstration of wireless systems and equipment

  • Development and training of tactics, techniques and procedures

Wireless Testing Capabilities

CITRIC

Maximum frequency Spectrum available:

  • Low RF noise:typically ? -120 dBm (over 10 kHz RBW) – No urban areas or military bases
  • NTIA Experimental Radio Station
    • “Full” spectrum use (as outlined NTIA Redbook)
    • No harmful interference
    • Government test or experimental use only

Local Spectrum Manager:

  • Max Power/Frequencies case by case basis
  • Rapid approval (1 to 4 weeks) by INL Spectrum Manager
  • Remote Spectrum Monitoring

WIRELESS allochrt

Full-scale communications test networks (fixed & mobile)– international frequencies:

  • LTE, UMTS and GSM Tier I Networks
  • LTE Tier III Network
  • ISBN Satellite system
  • HF fixed and mobile radios/antennas
  • UAV and UGV test areas
  • Mountain top line-of-site access

Instrumentation:

  • RF waveform analyzers, generators
  • Protocol analyzers
  • Noise generators for controlled interference

Established services and processes:

  • Spectrum approval & monitoring
  • Safety, Medical, Fire, Security (physical)
  • Resource management – personnel, networks, configuration control
  • Secure, IP protected multi-user facility
  • Broadband data access – entire INL Range
  • Hardware prototyping, scientific labs
  • Visitor – US citizen & foreign national

 

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INL’s 5G wireless test range.
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Wireless Expertise

Equipment and capabilities are only part of the story at INL’s wireless test bed. Users also have access to dozens of communication engineers with expertise in cellular, wireless and internet protocol design, implementation, programming and operations. Our researchers have real world industry experience in design, installation, maintenance and operations of next generation wireless communication systems from organizations including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Nokia, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Motorola, Hughes, L-3 Communications, Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier, Nextel and Radix.

 

Sam Edwards checking the status of cellular servers at INLs wireless test range