FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LibreCellular Aims to Simplify Building LTE Networks with Open-Source.
Halifax, UK, 27th May 2021 – Open-source and technical communities consultancy AB Open is proud to announce the launch of the LibreCellular project, which will provide an end-to-end open-source technology stack for 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular networks, supported by NLnet’s NGI Zero PET fund.
Designed to make it easy to create self-contained 4G LTE cellular networks, the LibreCellular project will integrate an open-source software stack with validated hardware and software configurations – subject to rigorous testing – along with the tooling and documentation required for reliable, repeatable deployment.
LibreCellular, which is to be hosted as a project under the MyriadRF umbrella of open-source and open-hardware radio endeavours, will deliver: a reference hardware platform comprised of a general-purpose processing (GPP) system built around a single-board computer based on the common x86 architecture, a low-cost yet highly-flexible LimeSDR software defined radio platform with a LimeRFE programmable radio front-end; an open-source cellular software stack configuration designed for end-to-end integration; and detailed documentation, including step-by-step tutorials, designed to ease deployment.
AB Open’s Andrew Back explains of the project, “As well as making it as easy as possible to deploy your own 4G LTE network using validated free and open-source solutions, we will be publishing the full test infrastructure – including PCB designs for any original hardware we create, scripts, and test-cases, as well as the full results of our testing.”
The project builds around a number of open-source efforts, including the open-hardware LimeSDR and LimeRFE and the open-source srsRAN (formerly srsLTE) and Open5GS projects, while OsmoGSMTester will be used to automate the testing process – a key part of LibreCellular, which will be fully qualified on a test infrastructure featuring base stations, LTE modem banks, and additional hardware.
The LibreCellular project is supported by NLnet’s Next Generation Internet Zero PET (NGI Zero PET) fund, with financial support from the European Commission’s Next Generation Internet programme, under the aegis of DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology under grant agreement No. 825310.
More information can be found on the LibreCellular website.
ABOUT AB OPEN
AB Open is an open source and technical communities consultancy specialising in embedded and wireless systems, based in Halifax, West Yorkshire. AB Open’s clients include semiconductor companies, component distributors, equipment vendors, and service providers.
CONTACT
Andrew Back
AB Open
Unit C5, Tenterfields Business Park
Halifax
HX2 6EQ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)7976 278735
Email: info@abopen.com
Gareth Halfacree is a technology journalist and technical author best known for his work on the Raspberry Pi User Guide and an upcoming book covering the BBC’s micro:bit project. A keen open source advocate and RISC-V fan, Gareth is responsible for curating our fortnightly community round-up posts.