New to the Reference Tools? Start with SDR - HLS Playback over 5G Broadcast, the simplest receiver-only setup. The other tutorials build on the same components. Reference material (sample files, service announcement formats and GPS time sync) is listed at the end of this page.
Seamless Switching between Unicast and Broadcast (Android)
This tutorial describes the end-to-end setup for seamless switching between 5G Broadcast and unicast delivery on an Android device. It uses flute-ffmpeg, rt-libflute and rt-mbms-tx-for-qrd-and-crd for the transmission of the media data and the rt-mbms-mw-android for the reception on the client-side.
An Android device plays a live stream delivered over 5G Broadcast, and falls back automatically to regular unicast delivery the moment the broadcast signal disappears, with no visible interruption to the media player, since the Android Middleware exposes both delivery paths through the same local webserver.
SDR - HLS Playback over 5G Broadcast
This tutorial provides guidelines how to setup the Reference Tools to use an HLS stream which was received via 5G Broadcast, processed by the MBMS Modem and played via dash.js or hls.js in the Web User Interface.
A complete 5G Broadcast receiver chain: an SDR (or a recorded sample file) feeds the MBMS Modem, which FLUTE-encodes the content as multicast traffic for the MBMS Middleware; the Middleware decodes it and serves it to a media player through a Web User Interface built on hls.js. The media player itself has no idea the content arrived over broadcast rather than a normal HTTP connection.
SDR - RTP Playback over 5G Broadcast
This tutorial provides guidelines how to setup the Reference Tools to use an RTP stream which was received via 5G Broadcast, processed by the MBMS Modem and played in a third-party media player such as ffplay or VLC.
MBMS Modem with Sample Files
This tutorial provides information on the use of the rt-mbms-modem with sample files as input.
Docker support for rt-mbms client components (Linux)
The implementation of the rt-mbms processes (5G broadcast receiver) is provided as Docker containers. Details on how to use the Docker setup can be found in this tutorial.
MBMS Modem - Measurements & GPS
This tutorial provides information on the use of the rt-mbms-modem to record data.
Configuration of Service Announcement
This tutorial provides an overview of the different configuration options when running the Linux based 5G broadcast stack. It highlights the required configuration options for the 5G Broadcast Service Announcements files and how to configure the FLUTE ffmpeg watchfolder implementation for DASH, HLS and seamless switching.
Reference material
Supporting pages referenced by the tutorials above:
- Sample Files: recorded I/Q signals for testing without an SDR.
- Service Announcement Formats: the three SA file formats and when to use each.
- GPS Time Synchronisation: disciplining the receiver clock from GPS for measurements.
- Requirements: hardware, SDR and OS requirements, plus validated test configurations.
Developer Exchange
The YouTube channel hosts some practical videos provided by developers on the use of the Reference Tools. Some of the videos are also available here:
The Nakolos Core: Interoperability with 5G-MAG Reference Tools - Developer Exchange
5G Broadcast at FOKUS Media Web Symposium 2024
5G Broadcast supported by 5G-MAG Reference Tools - Developer Exchange
Closing the gap towards a 5G Broadcast Rel-16 open-source transmitter - Developer Exchange
5G Broadcast-Broadband Seamless Switching - Developer Exchange