5G-LENA Features & Roadmap
A compact, at-a-glance view of the features currently supported, partially
supported, or planned in the 5G-LENA
(ns-3 nr) simulator. It complements the detailed technical documentation:
Legend: ✅ Supported · ⚙️ Partial / Ongoing / Experimental · ❌ Not yet supported
Features per layer:
PHY
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OFDMA (DL/UL) | ✅ Supported | 3GPP-compliant slot/symbol allocation; variable TTI and single analog beam capability |
| TDMA (DL/UL) | ✅ Supported | Configurable symbol granularity; variable TTI |
| Numerologies (μ = 0–4) | ✅ Supported | Per-BWP numerology configuration (sub-carrier spacing and symbol duration) |
| TDD and FDD | ✅ Supported | Per-cell configurable TDD pattern |
| Time-multiplex of shared/control | ✅ Supported | PDCCH/PDSCH in same slot; PUCCH/PUSCH in same slot |
| LDPC coding | ✅ Supported | 3GPP TS 38.212 base graphs 1 & 2 |
| Code block segmentation | ✅ Supported | 3GPP TS 38.212 |
| MCS tables | ✅ Supported | Per BWP; 3GPP TS 38.214 MCS Tables 1 & 2 (Up to 256-QAM) |
| Sounding Reference Signal | ✅ Supported | UE-specific scheduled SRS (configurable offset and periodicity) |
| CSI-RS & CSI-IM | ✅ Supported | channel estimation and interference measurement (NR-v4.0) |
| SU-MIMO | ✅ Supported | 3GPP-compliant; Up to rank-4 and 32 antenna ports (NR-v3.0) |
| Sub-band CSI feedback | ✅ Supported | Sub-band CQI and PMI (NR-v4.0) |
| Uplink power control | ✅ Supported | 3GPP compliant; PUSCH/PUCCH/SRS |
| Attach to max-RSRP gNB | ✅ Supported | UE attaches to gNB with highest RSRP (NR-v4.0) |
| 🟦 Antenna models | ||
| Phased array models | ✅ Supported | 3GPP UPAs; dual-pol; multi-port; multi-panel UE; spatial channel models |
| ns-3 legacy antenna models | ✅ Supported | Isotropic/Cosine/Parabolic/3GPP; non-spatial channel models; (NR-v4.0) |
| 🟨 Beamforming & Precoding | ||
| Analog ideal beamforming | ✅ Supported | Kronecker, Direct path, Cell scan, etc. |
| Analog realistic beamforming | ✅ Supported | Realistic BF (SRS-based, imperfect CSI) |
| Digital Precoding | ✅ Supported | 3GPP Type-I; codebook/ideal; closed-loop; based on CSI feedback (PMI, RI, CQI) (NR-v3.0) |
| PMI/RI search method | ✅ Supported | 3GPP Codebook, Ideal, Maleki, Sasaoka, Fast |
| Beam management (sweep/track) | ⚙️ Partial | Simplified model; no SSB blocks |
| 🟩 Supported channel models | ||
| 3GPP TR 38.901 | ✅ Supported | UMi/UMa/RMa/InH/InF/V2V/NTN (NR-v2.1), O2I penetration loss; shadowing; fast fading |
| Spatial consistency | ⚙️ Ongoing | 3GPP TR 38.901 Procedure A; temporal consistency |
| NYUSIM | ✅ Supported | NYU mmWave/THz channel; based on real NYU measurements (NR-v4.0) |
| Fluctuating Two-Ray (FTR) | ✅ Supported | FTR model built on top of 3GPP pathloss/channel for fast abstraction; (NR-v4.0) |
| Sionna Ray Tracing | ⚙️ Ongoing | Sionna-based channel model for the precise simulation of radio wave propagation |
| Legacy ns-3 non-spatial/Friis channel | ✅ Supported | ns-3 legacy non-spatial channel models; Ideal for large-scale simulations (NR-v4.0) |
MAC
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🟦 SCHEDULERS | ||
| PF / RR / MR | ✅ Supported | Temporal fairness |
| QoS-aware scheduler | ✅ Supported | 5QI-aware; LC byte assignment (NR-v2.5) |
| Random TDMA / OFDMA schedulers | ✅ Supported | Stress interference testing (NR-v4.1) |
| AI Reinforcement-Learning scheduler | ✅ Supported | Via ns3-gym (NR-v4.0) |
| Sub-band CQI-aware scheduling | ✅ Supported | Optional sub-band CQI aware scheduling(NR-v4.0) |
| 🟩 CORE MAC FEATURES | ||
| HARQ | ✅ Supported | IR and CC methods; configurable max number of ReTx |
| Multiple HARQ processes per UE | ✅ Supported | Configurable; defaults to 16 |
| 3GPP-compliant processing times | ✅ Supported | NR K0/K1/K2 and N0/N1/N2 processing times |
| Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) | ✅ Supported | Error-model based and Shannon-based AMC |
| UL grant-based access | ✅ Supported | UL grant-based access scheme with scheduling request (SR) |
| UL BSR | ✅ Supported | 3GPP-compliant UL buffer status reporting |
| BSR / SR / CQI / RI / PMI processing | ✅ Supported | BSR multiplexed with PUSCH; SR/CQI/RI/PMI in PUCCH |
| 🟨 ADVANCED FEATURES | ||
| Notching mask | ✅ Supported | UFA masks per-BWP and per-cell; configurable notched RBGs |
| CC / BWP managers | ✅ Supported | Multi-carrier; FDM of numerologies; CC/BWP routing |
| Carrier Aggregation (CA) | ✅ Supported | Multiple CC/BWPs with flexible mapping |
| RACH | ⚙️ Ongoing | Contention-based for initial access; RA preamble, RAR, MSG3 |
| Fronthaul Control | ✅ Supported | 7.2x split; Limited-capacity FH link; Dropping, Postponing, Optimize MCS/RBs; (NR-v3.3) |
RLC / PDCP / RRC / Core
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RLC AM / UM / TM | ✅ Supported | LTE-based |
| PDCP | ✅ Supported | Basic header compression |
| 5QI handling | ✅ Supported | QoS per flow; PDCP discard timer; RLC reordering window timer |
| SDAP | ⚙️ Ongoing | Maybe will be contributed soon |
| RRC | ⚙️ Ongoing | Ideal RRC; Real RRC, RLF, Handover ongoing |
| Multi-flow per UE | ✅ Supported | Independent bearers |
| EPC/5GC integration | ⚙️ Partial | Via LTE-EPC model |
Application layer - Traffic Models
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NGMN apps (FTP, video, gaming, VoIP) | ✅ Supported | NGMN-based traffic generators; NGMN mixed traffic model (NR-v2.4) |
| 3GPP XR (VR/AR/CG) | ✅ Supported | 3GPP TR 38.838 XR traffic profiles; multi-flow XR models |
| 3GPP FTP (Model 1) | ✅ Supported | 3GPP FTP Model 1; TR 36.814 (NR-v1.2) |
| ns-3 3GPP HTTP | ✅ Supported | ns-3 3GPP HTTP model |
Calibration & Testing
Calibration & Deployment Models
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calibration examples | ✅ Supported | Indoor/Outdoor (R1-1709828/RP-180524) and R1-1707360 (3GPP SU-MIMO) (NR-v4.1) |
| Hexagonal wrap-around | ✅ Supported | Wrap-around for up to 5 rings, 37-site/111-cell topology for RMa/UMa/UMi calibration |
| Wraparound model | ✅ Supported | Simulates outer interference to the edge devices without having to simulate outer devices |
| FastFadingConstantPositionMobilityModel | ✅ Supported | Calibration for static users with temporal fading |
| REM maps (DL/UL) | ✅ Supported | DL/UL REM maps, SIR/SNR/SINR for topology inspection |
CI & Testing Framework
| Feature | Status | Notes | Version | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CI Check dead URLs | ✅ Checked | Detects dead URLs in source and documentation | NR-v4.2 | Nov 28, 2025 |
| CI Calibration Regression testing | ✅ Checked | Calibration regression testing with 3GPP calibration campaign | NR-v4.1 | Jul 7, 2025 |
| CI Mac OS | ✅ Checked | Test NR on MAC OS | NR-v4.1 | Jul 7, 2025 |
| CI Deprecated emacs line | ✅ Checked | Checks that the file does not contain deprecated emacs lines | NR-v3.2 | Sep 25, 2024 |
| CI Eigen | ✅ Checked | Check whether the module works correctly without Eigen | NR-v3.2 | Sep 25, 2024 |
| CI LLVM's libc++ | ✅ Checked | Detect issues caused by different C++ standard libraries | NR-v3.2 | Sep 25, 2024 |
| CI Memory issues | ✅ Checked | Early detection of memory bugs; prevents crashing and bogus results | NR-v3.1 | Jul 19, 2024 |
| CI Commit message | ✅ Checked | Check that the commit message follows 5G-LENA guidelines | NR-v3.1 | Jul 19, 2024 |
| CI CMake format | ✅ Checked | Checks CMake format | NR-v3.0 | Feb 16, 2024 |
| CI Spell-check | ✅ Checked | Detects spelling errors | NR-v3.0 | Feb 16, 2024 |
| CI Ubuntu rolling | ✅ Checked | Early detection of issues with the libraries using Ubuntu rolling | NR-v3.0 | Feb 16, 2024 |
| CI python-format | ✅ Checked | Check using black and isort formatter settings; python formatting | NR-v3.0 | Feb 16, 2024 |
| CI Clang-tidy | ✅ Checked | Detects clang-tidy issues | NR-v3.0 | Feb 16, 2024 |
| CI Clang-format | ✅ Checked | Detects clang-format issues | NR-v2.4 | Apr 5, 2023 |
| CI Reuse | ✅ Checked | Checks open-source licensing using REUSE | NR-v2.4 | Apr 5, 2023 |
| CI Regression and reproducibility testing | ✅ Checked | KPI regression and reproducibility testing | NR-v2.4 | Apr 5, 2023 |
| CI unit and system tests | ✅ Checked | Tests using Clang/GCC in debug/optimized/release mode | NR-v0.2 | Feb 1, 2019 |
5G-LENA Extensions (Sidelink and V2X, O-RAN, NR-U)
The following features are NOT yet available in the nr master.
Sidelink and NR-V2X extension
The sidelink and NR-V2X are under active development and are available in a separate branch of 5G-LENA. The latest release of the sidelink and NR V2X extension is compatible with 5G-LENA Release v3.1 and ns-3 Release 42 (available since July 30, 2024). A new release will be available soon.
Sidelink and NR V2X extension documentation can be found here Section 2.16. For the installation follow the instructions.
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast | ✅ Supported | Mode 4-like broadcast |
| Out-of-coverage | ✅ Supported | V2V communication, No gNB required |
| PSCCH/PSSCH | ✅ Supported | Time multiplexing of PSCCH and PSSCH |
| Resource allocation | ✅ Supported | Mode 2: UE-selected, sensing-based |
| Semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) | ✅ Supported | Sensing-based and random SPS |
| Blind retransmissions | ✅ Supported | No feedback |
| HARQ feedback | ❌ Not supported | Ongoing |
| Sidelink control information | ✅ Supported | SCI update |
| 3GPP TR 38.885 compliant | ✅ Supported | TR 38.885 scenario and channel models |
Fronthaul / O-RAN integration
Ongoing and under active development. Not yet publicly available.
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| near-RT RIC | ⚙️ Ongoing | Integration & Testing |
| xApps | ⚙️ Ongoing | Integration & Testing |
| E2 | ⚙️ Ongoing | Integration & Testing |
NR-U (Unlicensed NR)
NR-U implements NR operation in unlicensed spectrum, i.e., energy detection, multiple channel access managers, including duty-cycling as well as Listen-Before-Talk (LBT)-based procedures. Openly available as a separate module here. NR-U documentation can be found here and the installation instructions in NR-U README.md.
The current NR-U code is compatible with 5G-LENA v1.2 and ns-3.35 (since July 2021). Not under active development, but it may get updated. (If interested in contributing, contact us.)
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LBT Cat 2/3/4 | ✅ Supported | ETSI-compliant LBT; LBT after MAC; ED omnidirectional |
| Channel Access Managers | ✅ Supported | Per-BWP and per-node channel access; Modes: AlwaysOn, OnOff duty cycle, LBT |
| Wi-Fi coexistence | ⚙️ Experimental | Coexistence with ns-3 Wi-Fi |
| Directional LBT | ⚙️ Experimental | LBT with directional beams; null-space projected LBT and precoding |
🧭 Planned Roadmap (2025 → 2028)
| Area | Possible Enhancements |
|---|---|
| Channel | Sionna-Ray Tracing channel; hybrid spatially-consistent channels |
| Antenna | Improved polarization; near-field blocking models for handheld devices |
| PHY | Precoding Type-II and MU-MIMO; SSB blocks transmission and scheduling |
| PHY | NTN maturation; TN-NTN integration |
| MAC | SL HARQ; LTM; MU-MIMO schedulers; O-RAN xApp hooks; network slicing |
| RLC | RLC implementations for high-throughput and ultra-low latency |
| SDAP | Add 5G SDAP layer (ongoing) |
| RRC | Handover (ongoing); Dual Connectivity; advanced mobility procedures |
| O-RAN | O-RAN xApp hooks; network slicing (ongoing) |
| NR-U | Directional LBT |
| V2X | HARQ feedback; multicast/unicast |
| Framework | SDAP layer; 5GC; Network Digital Twin; O-RAN integration |
| 6G-LENA | NTN; ISAC; FFS; RIS; AI |
Legend
✅ = Supported ⚙️ = Partial / Ongoing/ Experimental ❌ = Not yet supported
© 2025 Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC) – OpenSim Research Unit