Test Equipment - LTE Protocol

Anritsu - MD8430

 

This is LTE Network Simulator with which you can test LTE UE. This is the most powerful and flexible equipment that I have used. You can test almost all the detailed procedure for L1 to RRC/NAS to application. It even support baseband I/Q interface so that you can test UE even when only baseband part is implemented and RF part is not implemented. It can support 2 Active Cells (both DL/UL) and 4 neigbour cell (DL only) in sinble box.

 

As in most Network Simulator, the hardware with firmware simulate eNodeB functionality and you would need some additional software both for RRC/NAS layer and operation of the equipment. Software packages that can be used with this equipment are

- Visual Studio .NET C++ (C Scenario)

- RTD (Rapid Test Designer)

- PTS (Conformance Test Package for 36.523 test)

One downside of this equipment would be that it support LTE only, meaning you cannot test InterRAT function with this equipment alone. To do InterRAT function test, you have to connect this equipment with MD8480 which support WCDMA/GSM cell.

 

Vendor Web : http://www.anritsu.com/en-us/products-solutions/products/md8430a.aspx

 

 

Rhode & Schwarz - CMW500

 

This is also powerful and flexible equipment. Advantage of this box is that it can support LTE, WCDMA, GSM all in single box (but max number of physical cell is limited to two).

As in most Network Simulator, the hardware with firmware simulate eNodeB functionality and you would need some additional software both for RRC/NAS layer and operation of the equipment. Software packages that can be used with this equipment are

Visual Studio .NET C++ (C Scenario)

 

Vendor Web : http://www.sit.rohde-schwarz.com/

 

 

Anritsu - MD8475

 

This would be the best tool if you want to do basic application test with minimum time and effort. Advantage of this box is that it can support LTE, WCDMA, GSM all in single box (but max number of physical cell is limited to two).

 

If you want to do some basic test for following features without writing any test cases on your own, this can be the best option.

IP throughput test (IPv4 or IPv6)

IMS

Voice over LTE

Cell Selection/Reselection/Handover

CSFB(CS Fallback)

As in most Network Simulator, the hardware with firmware simulate eNodeB functionality and you would need some additional software both for RRC/NAS layer and operation of the equipment. Software packages that can be used with this equipment are

SmartStudio (GUI based / ready-made statemachine)

Since it is operating with ready-made statemachine, you don't have to write any script for the test, but none of the ready made statemachine would support all the requirement of all the test cases you want. At some point, you may want to switch to MD8430 or CMW500 for more detailed test, but in that case you would have to write C code to implement your test cases.

 

 

Vendor Web : http://www.anritsu.com/en-us/products-solutions/products/md8475a.aspx

 

 

Spirent - 8100

 

Spirent's 8100 system is the optimal solution for today’s LTE mobile device and chipset testing. It supports a wide range of application, location and radio access test areas, and its flexible option-based design allows you to add test capabilities as you need them.

The 8100 provides unique capabilities for simultaneous emulation of multi-technology (LTE, CDMA/EV-DO, UMTS) and multi-cell networks (including advanced Enhanced Packet Core (EPC) emulation). The 8100 delivers industry-leading test coverage of LTE multi-mode device performance including IMS/VoLTE and RCS, RF/MIMO, data throughput, complex inter-RAT scenarios and extensive call reliability or stress testing. 

The turnkey 8100 provides full, ready-to-run automation for design verification and operator acceptance testing, and includes Spirent’s real-world network and radio channel emulation.

 

- All flavors of LTE: FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE and LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation

- IMS/VoLTE and RCS

- Location-Based Services including VoLTE E911 and OTDOA

- LTE <—> UMTS Mobility Scenarios

- User Experience for VoLTE Voice Quality, Video Performance and Battery Performance

- LTE Over-The-Air Test Requirements such as LTE A-GPS OTA

- Operator-specific performance requirements

- Conformance/certification

Vendor Web : http://www.spirent.com/Products/8100_LTE

 

 

Anite - SAS

 

Testing in the lab can reduce time and money over testing in the field. A lab-based approach also enables the testing of a broad range of conditions not easily or readily available in ‘the real world’ for example new or yet-to-be-implemented network features.  

Such simulation tests have become an integral part of many mobile network operators’ device acceptance programmes. SAS – Anite’s easy-to-use network simulator solution – enables you to quickly evaluate devices in the integration or interoperability testing phase. The first product of its kind to be launched, it remains the market-leader.

Vendor Web : http://www.anite.com/businesses/handset-testing/documentation/brochures-fact-sheets