Icomera, a company that develops digital communication equipment for trains, has had a successful collaboration with Karlstad University for over 10 years. One of the latest outcomes of this collaboration is the testing of Icomera’s new router in a 5G Stand-alone (SA) network through the DRIVE project.
Testing Icomera’s router in a 5G SA network means the company can ensure that their equipment functions optimally with the new 5G SA technology, which will be rolled out in Sweden next year.
“This is especially important for ensuring fast and stable data transfer onboard trains, which affects the passenger experience. Icomera now has the opportunity to test its equipment before 5G SA becomes commercially operational, giving us a head start when the 5G network is fully up and running,” says Claes Beckman from Icomera.
A unique testbed for development
The testbed Icomera uses has a node at the Department of Computer Science at Karlstad University (KaU) and is provided by Telia and Ericsson. One purpose of the testbed is to enable both large and small companies to develop and test their products and solutions against technologies that have not yet been launched in public mobile networks. For Icomera, this is an important tool for ensuring that their technology can handle the high-speed requirements that the 5G network provides. The testbed is part of the DRIVE project, where collaboration between industry and academia is the focus.
Claes Beckman also mentions that the collaboration with Karlstad University has previously led to the development of satellite technology, which was a completely unique project. Through the partnership, Icomera has gained access to high-tech resources and a platform where the company can test and develop its products alongside other stakeholders.
“Hopefully, the new 5G SA network will be rolled out by 2026, and our testbed offers a unique opportunity for companies like Icomera to prepare their products for the demands of the future,” says Johan Garcia, associate professor in computer science and researcher in DRIVE.
