New Utilities for Mobile Network Testing
12 November 2004
New Functionalities in QVoice Bring Enhanced Benefits to Operators for Network Optimization and Benchmarking
Ascom Carrier Products announces that two new and much-demanded utilities have been incorporated into software release 4.3, bringing a wealth of extra benefits and more versatility to QVoice users.
Additions in data collection include function enhancement in WCDMA scanning and measurement assessment in EDGE networks.
Driven by Nokia’s 6230 test-mobile within the QVoice system, users are now able to measure EDGE and GSM / GPRS with just one tool. All QVoice’s existing IP-data applications such as Ping, HTTP, FTP, UDP and email have been extended to cover EDGE-GPRS testing. The release also provides users access to layer 3 messages, details about the new MCS-coding schemes and some other new parameters specifically Bit Error Probability (BEP).
The Nokia 6230 test-mobile with AMR speech codec is equally useable for classic speech measurements including MOS quality (PACE-TA or PESQ). While AMR codec status monitoring, another attractive feature, has been bundled in release 4.3.
Overall system enrichment in WCDMA testing brings more performance. As in other air interface technologies like GSM testing, test connections can be built up using speech calls or mobile data applications (i.e. FTP, UDP).
Engineering parameters of the WCDMA network, including layer 3 messages and layer 1 and 2 parameters, are recorded during these test connections. The “Radio” display on QVoice shows the status of the connection in real-time. One powerful new feature is the linkage between the transport channels, the logical channels and the radio access bearer. The user can thus see the relationship between the higher/logical layer and the lower/physical channel – a valuable new functional addition by any standards.
In addition, by using the high-speed WCDMA RF scanner controlled by QVoice, in either the drive test model or portable ‘Companion’ version, customers are able to collect specific information on coverage and quality of their 3G networks. This ranges from detailed graphical views in the field and full-blown management reports produced by a QVoice post-processing workstation to the evaluation of the data and identification of problem areas now made easier with powerful features such as “coverage hole” and “pilot pollution” detection.
Another feature is simulated performance behaviour, in which users define thresholds and then observe what happens as more subscribers join.
