eNodeB Protocol Conformance Tester

Software for Next-Generation Wireless Networks

Includes over 80 test cases in the first release Test scripts written in TCL language Includes emulation of UE, MME, S-GW and eNodeB Windows based, user-friendly GUI

The LTE eNodeB Protocol Conformance Tester is part of the family of LTE Test Solutions from Polaris Networks. Conformance testing determines the extent to which a system or an implementation conforms to a specified standard. The components of a conformance test suite are the Test Suite Structure and Test Purposes (TSS & TP) document, the Abstract Test Suite that includes the conformance test scripts specified using TCL, and the Test Platform on which the test scripts are executed. The eNodeB is one of the most important entity in the LTE network as it is the entry point to the LTE network from the user (radio access) side. It is also the exit point from the network side to the user (radio access) side. As such testing the eNodeB for protocol conformance is of critical importance to Base Station Equipment Manufacturers and also to Service Providers.

3GPP has not yet defined the conformance requirements for the MAC and higher protocol layers in the eNodeB. Polaris Networks has created a Test Suite Structure and Test Purposes (TSS & TP) specification for eNodeB conformance testing based on 3GPP protocol specifications for eNodeB, UE, MME and S-GW. The first release of the eNodeB conformance tester focuses on testing the S1-MME interface. A later release will include X2 and LTE-Uu interface testing. The conformance test suite includes test cases for all the requirements in the 3GPP standards. The tester controls a UE and emulates the network side to generate real-life test scenarios and verifies the eNodeB behavior on the radio access and network interfaces. The tester emulates multiple neighboring eNodeB entities to test some of the functions of the eNodeB Under Test.

Test Bed Structure

The test bed consists of:
s Emulations of eNodeB, S-GW, MME s UE Emulator s eNodeB - Device Under Test

Figure: eNodeB Conformance Test Bed Architecture

The eNodeB PCT tester tests the message sequences, message contents and features. For example : Paging, Attach, Detach, Authentication, Security, Hand Over, Reconnection, Reconfiguration, Default Radio Bearer , Dedicated Radio Bearer etc.

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Published on: October 09, 2009

eNodeB Protocol Conformance Tester

Software for Next-Generation Wireless Networks

Tester Architecture
Performing automated Protocol Conformance Tests in-house is essential for vendors who wish to minimize time-to-market. One of the key emphases of the Polaris eNodeB PCT is Test Automation, achieved from the following components of the tester.

Test Executive
The Test Executive is a Windows application and serves as the test manager for the eNodeB PCT. It has a user-friendly GUI that allows the user to select and execute tests and to view test results. Some of the functions available in the Test Executive are listed below. s Test Bed Setup and Configuration s Test Selection and Execution s Analysis of Test Results s Protocol Decodes s Generation of Test Reports s Editing TCL Test Scripts

Figure: Conformance Tester Framework

Miniscope Protocol Analyzer

Miniscope is a Windows-based Protocol Decode and Analyzer application. It works both in a Standalone mode, in which it decodes packets received from an external capture engine, and in an Integrated mode, in which it is embedded inside the Test Executive application to decode packets that are sent and received during test execution.

Test Adapter
This component is responsible for supporting the following functions s Interfacing with the Test Executive s Interfacing with TCL runtime system s Communicating with the MME Emulator and other emulated entities

TCL Conformance Test Scripts

Test cases are implemented using TCL language. Polaris delivers all test cases in source code form and the test cases are therefore editable by the user.

Test Categories
S1-MME Test Cases
s SAE Bearer management s Initial Context Transfer s UE Capability Info Indication s Mobility and Handover s Paging s S1 Interface Management s NAS Signaling Transport

LTE-Uu Interface (or Radio Interface)

s MAC Test Cases

l

Mapping between logical channels and transport channels, Scheduling information reporting, HARQ, Priority handling between UEs and logical channels, etc.

s RLC Test Cases l ARQ, Concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of SDUs, In-sequence delivery of PDUs, etc. s PDCP Test Cases l Header compression, Ciphering, Integrity protection, Timer-based discard of PDUs, etc. s RRC Test Cases l Establishment, modification and release of RRC connection, Paging, RRC connection mobility, Measurement configuration control and reporting, etc.

X2 Interface Test Cases

s Intra LTE-Access-System Mobility and Handover s Uplink Load Management s General X2 Interface Management and Error Handling

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eNodeB Protocol Conformance Tester

Software for Next-Generation Wireless Networks

Features

s Test Scripts are written in the TCL language. s s s s s s s s s

The first release of the tester features over 80 conformance tests, including more than 35 test cases for S1-MME interface. Complete and detailed decode of all protocol layers Tester emulates all the other adjacent entities, i.e. eNodeB, MME and S-GW. TCL test scripts are provided in source code form. Users can write their own tests. User friendly GUI for test selection and execution. Users can schedule test runs for execution in the future and run tests in batches. Test reports in HTML format. Test results can be saved for future analysis.

Test Reports in HTML format

Test selection window

Test results window (showing detailed decode of all protocol layers)

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eNodeB Protocol Conformance Tester

Software for Next-Generation Wireless Networks

System Requirements
LTE eNodeB PCT runs on a PC with x86 CPU, Windows (XP or Vista), and minimum 1GB RAM.

System Interfaces
s 10/100/1000 Ethernet for connecting eNodeB DUT to the eNodeB PCT s LTE-Uu (for eNodeB Protocol Conformance Tester Release 2 containing LTE-Uu Test Cases) Interface for connecting to UE. s CPRI V4.0 (for eNodeB Protocol Conformance Tester Release 2 containing LTE-Uu Test Cases) REC (Radio Equipment Control) for connecting to Radio Equipment (RE) or UE with CPRI-RE

Supported Network Protocols and Standards

s 3GPP TS 36.211 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Physical Channels and Modulation s 3GPP TS 36.212 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Multiplexing and channel coding s 3GPP TS 36.213 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Physical layer procedures s 3GPP TS 36.321: E-UTRA Medium Access Control (MAC) s 3GPP TS 36.322: E-UTRA Radio Link Control (RLC) s 3GPP TS 36.323: E-UTRA Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) s 3GPP TS 36.331: E-UTRA Radio Resource Control (RRC) s 3GPP TS 36.413: E-UTRA S1 Application Protocol (S1 AP) s 3GPP TS 36.423: E-UTRA X2 Application Protocol (X2 AP) s 3GPP TS 29.281 General Packet Radio System (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTPv1-U) s IETF RFC 4960 Stream Control Transmission Protocol

CONTACT INFORMATION
For further information, call a Polaris Networks sales representative at the phone numbers listed below, or email us at: sales@polarisnetworks.net US Office Polaris Networks Inc. 75 Robbins Road Lexington, MA 02421 USA Phone: +1-781-862-4900 India Office EP Y3, Sector V, Salt Lake Electronics Complex Kolkata 700091 India Phone: +91-33-23575511 VoIP: +1-781-652-9629

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