3G Network Testing Solution

Since 2006, the global 3G commercialization process has been significantly accelerated, and the number of 3G commercial networks has also increased. The global 3G market has begun to take shape and entered a stable development stage. At the same time, China's 3G network deployment has also entered the countdown stage. The Ministry of Information Industry has organized and completed a large number of network technology tests on coverage systems and equipment functions and their interconnection, compatibility, operability, etc., providing rich information and basis for the formulation of China's 3G strategy and industrial policy. How to build a high-performance, easy-to-manage, and low-cost 3G wireless coverage network is the key to successful 3G deployment. For operators, it is also very important to make full use of testing and network optimization to ensure the most basic service quality. In order to solve the testing problems in 3G networks, I consulted some materials and selected some suitable measurement products from a large number of related measurement products, in order to help operators solve the main problems in the network.

1. New features of 3G network

●New interfaces and network elements are introduced.

● As the network structure evolves from R99 to R4, R5, and finally to R6, new interfaces and protocols will be introduced.

●Multiple versions are provided for each protocol and are constantly upgraded.

●Signaling and services are carried over STM-1 optical interfaces via ATM, or over E1 point interfaces using IMA via ATM.

●Dynamically allocate public control channels.

●3G and 2G/2.5G networks coexist, and interoperability must be measured.

●3G, QoS interconnection.

2. Next generation testing requirements: what to do

2.1 Verify network/service performance

●Analyze key performance indicators.

●Develop management strategies based on KPI values.

●Improve performance levels.

2.2 Reduce network/service interruption time

●Detect unusual/problematic behavior before customers notice a problem.

● Understand data related to a specific call/session/process.

●Identify the root cause of the problem.

●Verify new patches/software versions of network elements.

●Understand whether the customer complaint is related to network issues.

●Reduce the time and workload of analyzing problems.

●Problem diagnosis procedure training.

3. Next generation testing requirements: How to do it

●Measure ultra-high-speed data.

●Measure at multiple locations simultaneously and achieve time synchronization.

●Reorganize, combine, relate, analyze and display information.

●Ability to understand and track dynamic changes in the network as terminal devices move rapidly.

● Reduce large amounts of data into actionable information.

●Display and track changing trends of key indicators.

●Analysis capabilities from traffic statistics to individual bit contents.

●Provide expert consulting services.

4. Characteristics and functions of measuring instruments

4.1 Nemo Drive Test System

Nemo drive test system is mainly used for network coverage test of mobile communication and can adapt to different system tests. The system scanner adopts multi-band technology, and a single system can test different systems and different services at the same time. For example, it can be applied to GSM\\CDMA20001X\\EVDO\\WCDMA, etc. In addition to the functions of traditional drive test systems, it also has some unique features.

●Nemo's drive test system supports test mobile phones of various standards. When used with Anritsu's scanner, it can measure any process and parameters in the wireless environment and traffic behavior. The test results cover all services from the physical layer to the application layer, from circuit switching to packet switching, as shown in Figure 1. [page]

Figure 1: Measuring any process and parameter in the wireless environment and traffic behavior

●The product covers a wide range of network types. In terms of network coverage, it covers all network standards from 2G to 3G, and even HSDPA, which is called 3.5G. In terms of test methods, it covers different contents of indoor and outdoor tests. In terms of test contents, it includes not only voice tests under various standards, but also various common application tests.

●As network applications develop day by day, the focus of wireless network testing and optimization has also changed greatly. Voice quality testing - MOS testing is a very obvious example. Operators are increasingly aware that wireless-level indicators and parameters alone cannot fully reflect the voice quality heard by mobile phone users, let alone guarantee the quality of calls. Therefore, it is very important to use an objective and comprehensive score to represent voice quality. The MOS score is widely recognized in the industry as the parameter that can best represent voice quality with a score that is close to user experience. Nemo's products can easily implement MOS testing with a very simple configuration, and users can choose various methods, such as mobile to mobile, mobile to fixed, etc.

Combining the MOS test results with traditional drive test results can more accurately and comprehensively optimize the wireless network, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Nemo products implement MOS testing with simple configuration

● Video streaming test. Video service is a major service that distinguishes 3G network from traditional 2G network. However, there is no universal, convenient and comprehensive tool in the industry that can accurately test video streaming service from the air interface. Nemo has cooperated with some well-known video quality assessment institutions in Europe and the United States. Its products can initiate video streaming service through the test terminal, and then the software can perform various tests related to video streaming quality, such as MOS, jitter, distortion, blur, etc. of voice and image, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 Video stream quality related tests

●Support for application testing. The Nemo system has very strong support for various data services, such as HTTP, FTP, SMS, MMS, and WAP. In addition to some common test results in data services, such as throughput and bit error rate, it also provides various detailed steps and information in the service process. In previous drive test systems, if you want to calculate and count the time and situation of business-related events, you need to calculate based on various signaling and messages; in Nemo, the software automatically lists each event in the business process and its timestamp, detailed information, etc., to facilitate technical personnel to count, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 The software automatically lists detailed information in the business process