Spirent Communications plc — a provider of test, assurance and analytics solutions for next-generation devices and networks — has announced a significant expansion of its work with the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick via the Midlands Future Mobility initiative.

MFM will work with Spirent (www.spirent.com) to use 5G ‘digital twin’ technology in a drive-in simulator operated by WMG.

This will be the first emulated 5G stand-alone core network dedicated to researching next-generation mobile use cases — including connected automated mobility — in almost unlimited testing scenarios.

WMG associate professor Matthew Higgins said: “A full understanding of future 5G-enabled industries and how to ‘operationalise’ them for business and consumer usage is now possible in a safe and controlled environment, thanks to Spirent.

"We’ll be able to test with near-limitless potential — for instance, determining how an intelligent vehicle, drone or manufacturing robot will perform on a 5G network that millions of people are using at the same time.

"This is a near impossibility on today’s live 5G networks, which cannot give an accurate picture of the traffic to be expected years from now.”

MFM will be both a digital and real-world (480km of public roads) ecosystem serving as a springboard for scalable future mobility technologies and services.

Stephen Douglas, head of 5G Strategy at Spirent, said: “5G is rolling out across major cities globally, and nearly every industry wants to fast-track its ability to use these new networks.

“Understanding fully how 5G networks can be optimised through cost-effective testing and emulation is being made possible by MFM.

"We’re privileged to be working on this important initiative, which will keep the UK at the forefront of cutting-edge research for connected and automated mobility.”