Link-Level Simulation
Use 5G Toolbox™ System objects to model multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channels such as fading channels with different delay profiles and high-speed train (HST) propagation channels. You can also model the path loss and shadow fading between the base station (BS) and the user equipment (UE). The examples featured on this page show various link-level block error rate (BLER) simulations with TDL and CDL channel models.
Apps
| Wireless Channel Designer | Design and analyze 5G NR channels (Since R2025a) |
Functions
nrCDLChannel | Model CDL MIMO channel |
nrTDLChannel | Model TDL MIMO channel model |
nrHSTChannel | Model HST MIMO channel (Since R2022b) |
nrPathLossConfig | Path loss configuration parameters (Since R2021b) |
nrPathLoss | Path loss and shadow fading between BS and UE (Since R2021b) |
Topics
Link Simulations
- Model 5G NR Communication Links
Learn how to model 5G NR communication links.
- SNR Definition Used in Link Simulations
Learn how 5G Toolbox defines the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in link simulations that use AWGN.
Propagation Channels
- Interactive CDL Channel Model Configuration
Configure CDL channel model and visualize channel characteristics and channel OFDM response using an app. (Since R2024b) - App-Based TDL Channel Design and Analysis
Configure the Wireless Channel Designer app for 5G Toolbox to design and analyze a TDL channel model. (Since R2025a) - Visualize CDL Channel Model Characteristics
Visualize CDL channel characteristics and explore channel information about the antenna element, element pattern, and cluster paths. - Reconstruct Channel Impulse Response Using CDL Channel Path Filters
Reconstruct the channel impulse response and estimate timing offset using path filters of a CDL channel model.
Featured Examples
NR PDSCH Throughput
Measure PDSCH throughput of the 5G NR downlink.
NR PUSCH Throughput
Measure PUSCH throughput of the 5G NR uplink.
NR PUCCH Block Error Rate
Measure BLER of uplink control information (UCI) transmitted on physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in a 5G NR link.
TDD Reciprocity-Based PDSCH MU-MIMO Using SRS
Implement downlink MU-MIMO by exploiting channel reciprocity in a TDD scenario.
NR PDSCH Throughput Using Channel State Information Feedback
Measure the PDSCH throughput of a 5G NR adaptive link that adjusts the MCS, precoding matrix, and number of layers based on the CSI feedback.
5G NR PRACH Detection and False Alarm Test
Measure the probability of correct detection of the PRACH preamble in the presence of a preamble signal.
NR Uplink Channel State Information Estimation Using SRS
Use sounding reference signals (SRS) for synchronization, channel estimation, and uplink channel state information (CSI) estimation.
NR SSB Beam Sweeping
Employ beam sweeping at gNB and UE and learn about beam management procedures during initial access.
NR Downlink Transmit-End Beam Refinement Using CSI-RS
Transmit multiple CSI-RS resources in different directions in a scattering environment and select the optimal transmit beam based on RSRP.
NR Phase Noise Modeling and Compensation
Analyze the impact of phase noise in a 5G OFDM system and use PT-RS in compensating the CPE.
5G NR Downlink CSI Reporting
Calculate and compare the CSI (CQI, PMI, and RI) parameters using CSI-RS with practical and perfect channel estimation.
Include Path Loss in NR Link-Level Simulations
Analyze the performance impact of path loss, transmit power, and receive noise in 5G NR link-level simulations.
Accelerate Link-Level Simulations with Parallel Processing
Accelerate link-level simulations using a cluster of workers from a parallel pool.
Accelerate End-to-End Simulation with Frequency-Domain Channel Modeling
Accelerate end-to-end simulations by performing frequency-domain channel modeling using a CDL channel model.
Accelerate 5G Simulation Using GPU
Use GPU arrays in a simplified PDSCH link simulation to speed up execution time.
NR V2X Sidelink PSCCH and PSSCH Throughput
Measure the link-level throughput and BLER of the NR V2X PSCCH and PSSCH, including SCI and SL-SCH transport channel coding.
NR NTN PDSCH Throughput
Measure the PDSCH throughput of a 5G NR link in a nonterrestrial network (NTN) channel.
5G Beamforming with Ray Tracing Channels
Use SVD or PMI codebook search to calculate 5G beamforming weights in a ray tracing channel.
Model Hybrid Beamforming with CDL Channel
Apply digital and analog beamforming to a 5G NR PDSCH link by using a CDL channel.
NR NTN PUSCH Throughput
Measure the PUSCH throughput of a 5G NR link in a nonterrestrial network (NTN) channel.
