Network test system validates base station performance

Cobham Wireless has introduced the TM500 and E500 Multi-RAT Network Test Solution that promises to assist mobile operators and infrastructure vendors to validate base station/small cell performance in complex networks where multiple technologies are overlaid.

Although 4G coverage is rapidly expanding, legacy technologies, such as 2G and 3G, will continue to play a significant role for many years to come. Until now it has been a real challenge to prove that network capacity is adequate in a multi-standard heterogeneous network (HetNet) environment, and that mobile terminals can hand over effectively between different technologies, to ensure a seamless user experience. This is vital to maintain customer satisfaction and reduce churn, the company noted.

The TM500 and E500 network test system now achieves this by providing an all-in-one hardware and software platform that can validate the capacity and performance of mobile base stations and networks across three types of overlaid radio access technology (RAT): LTE/LTE-A (4G), WCDMA/HSPA+ (3G) and GSM (2G). The solution is also able to prove satisfactory user experience when handing over between different RATs, for example from VoLTE on a 4G network to 3G or 2G using enhanced Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (eSRVCC), added the company.

The ability to emulate extended groups of multi-band, multi-RAT user equipment (UE) using a single software-defined network test solution enables efficient validation of the multi-RAT network. Allowing the full characterisation of realistic user scenarios ahead of network deployment also works to minimise upfront costs.

According to the company, the TM500 and E500 Multi-RAT Network Test Solution employs industry-leading RF channel and mobility modelling, and supports the validation of challenging Quality of Experience (QoE) parameters during Inter-RAT handover such as latency, jitter, packet loss and MOS, for a VoLTE call.