7 Layers Develops Fully Automated LTE-USIM Test Solution
27 January 2010
Faster, more bandwidth-intensive services are entering the wireless communications markets with no end in sight. Big efforts are necessary to make network infrastructures and mobile devices fit to cope with the new challenges. Long term evolution (LTE), in combination with system architecture evolution (SAE), is the next significant steps to master the future, moving mobile communications towards the all-IP environment.
Such fundamental changes need to be accompanied by careful technology development. One of the many items that have to be taken care of is the interoperability between an SAE network, an LTE device and the universal subscriber identity module (USIM) applications which are running on a universal integrated circuit card (UICC).
"7 layers was first in developing the InterLab USIM and USAT test solutions for W-CDMA devices," says Magdy Ahmed, product manager at 7 layers Germany. "The LTE-USIM test solution once again meets market demands for early testing, demonstrating our technology leadership. It is a single box solution that covers both network independent USIM tests and tests that require the joint operation of an USIM simulator in combination with an LTE network simulator."
Speeding up certification and product launch
The InterLab LTE-USIM test solution investigates the correct interaction between the LTE device and the USIM application as well as the interaction with the E-UTRA/ EPC network. It comes with an integrated, powerful and low-cost Aspects SmartStation 3 from Collis, which acts as the communication interface between the LTE device and the USIM application and uses the powerful Rohde & Schwarz R&S CMW500 wideband radio communication tester for network simulation. The solution features all test sequences according to 3GPP TS 31.121 Rel-8. Test cases have been written in TTCN3 which also makes an easy adaption to customer-chosen protocol test systems possible.
The LTE-USIM test solution has been designed to meet upcoming certification requirements from the Global Certification Forum and the North American Type Approval Regime. A future extension covering 3GPP TS 31.124 Rel-8 for LTE-USIM application toolkit testing is in the pipeline. It is an ideal platform throughout all phases of LTE device development and certification, easing the test processes and speeding up the product launch of LTE user equipment.
Users benefit from its ease of use and its outstanding automation capabilities for combined LTE-USIM tests, network independent SIM interface tests or for the automated operation of an LTE network simulator.
