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Flexible load and functional testing tool for LTE eNB

KEY FEATURESEffective LTE enhanced NodeB (eNB) functional and load testing through S1 and X2 interfaces

Comprehensive simulation of control and user plane under heavy load

High performance EAST hardware with AMC blades, network processor units and an ATCA chassis

Easy-to-use graphical test case and message editing tools

Smooth real-time protocol monitoring with the NetHawk M5 (monitoring option)

Flexible and scalable platform and structure

NetHawk EAST LTE for eNB Testing

CHALLENGES FOR ENB TESTINGThe 3GPP organization defined the next-generation mobile architecture as long-term evolution (LTE) and system architecture evolution (SAE). Together, they provide better end-user services and advanced radio features combined with an efficient network architecture.

Testing LTE and SAE bring new challenges for eNB testing: eNB includes all radio-related functions within the same unit LTE radio interface is 10 times faster than in WCDMA Radio measurement reports are received at eNBs, but invisible in the S1 interface eNBs are directly connected to each other

All this makes radio interface testing and optimization around eNBs much more challenging. Additionally the all-IP architecture of LTE and SAE increases the need for sophisticated testing tools to verify QoS, QoE, data applications and video broadcasting.

SOLUTION: ENB WRAP-AROUND TESTINGThe NetHawk EAST LTE enables comprehensive eNB wrap-around testing. It wraps eNB by using S1 and X2 interfaces, as well as simulates both control plane and user plane.

The NetHawk EAST LTE can effectively be used to execute eNB functional and load testing. In functional testing, the NetHawk EAST LTE can send or receive any protocol messages of the supported interfaces. It also generates and receives IP user-plane messages. At the receiving side, the NetHawk EAST LTE can calculate BER from the received PRSB sequence.

BER testing provides an efficient way to optimize the eNB implementation. In load testing, the NetHawk EAST LTE simulates heavy load of control-plane and user-plane traffic.

By interworking toward the test mobiles, the EAST LTE provides comprehensive statistics of the LTE Uu L1 and L2 layers. Normal testing with LTE test mobiles can be fully configured and executed from the EAST LTE GUI.

Transparent IP routing can test existing IP services. At the S1 interface, IP routing takes care of the automatic mapping of IP user plane of UEs to GTP-U tunnels.

LTE eNB Testing ObjectivesThe NetHawk EAST LTE supports detailed eNB wrap-around testing in terms of: S1 control- and user-plane testing X2 control-plane testing NAS control-plane testing Handover testing Transparent user-plane routing IP user-plane data generation Portable EPC for field trials eNB stress testing under maximum load

PRODUCT PLATFORMThe NetHawk EAST LTE product consist of the portable TravelHawk hardware or the high-performance ATCA hardware and scalable software.

TravelHawkWith TravelHawk, the NetHawk EAST LTE becomes a compact, portable testing tool.

ATCAThe Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) hardware platform for EAST LTE offers a scalable platform with high packing density and reliability.

The ATCA platform allows multi-user functionality and it can easily be enhanced to a bigger testing system.

The smaller ATCA chassis allows 16 simultaneous users for functional testing.

NPU–eNB under Maximum User-Plane LoadThe network processor unit (NPU) efficiently accelerates the NetHawk EAST LTE user plane. Multiple NPU cores take care of GTP-U, PRBS, IP routing and IPSec. Both platforms, the TravelHawk and ATCA, support NPU, allowing you to boost traffic until eNB operates under maximum load.

The bigger ATCA chassis gives you the possibility to add 14 different cards and add more parallel users.

eNB simulation UE simulation

MME/SGW simulation

x2 Uu

S1

eNB (SUT)eNB (SUT)

S1-MME

S1-U

S5S11

S10

X2

CPRI/OBSAI

S5S5S5

S-GW

S5S5S5S5S5S5

PDN GW

S10S10

MMES10S10S10S10

MME

LTE

3G

eNB

Evolved Packet CoreeUTRAN

CPRI/CPRI/CPRI/CPRI/CPRI/

X2X2X2eNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNBeNB

NetHawk EAST LTE for eNB Testing

MESSAGE LIBRAIRIES AND TEST CASE PACKAGESThe NetHawk EAST LTE includes message libraries for 3GPP S1-AP, X2 and NAS protocols and control interface protocols for LTE test mobiles. Test case packages include support for testing eNB through S1 and X2 interfaces. Test cases are defined by using a graphical telecom oriented language. The NetHawk EAST LTE servers provide link layer services to test cases. For example, SCTP and GTP servers are available at the S1 interface.

USER INTERFACEThe NetHawk EAST LTE has both a graphical user interface (GUI) and a command line interface (CLI). The desktop includes launch menus −different tools test case editing, message library editing, test case execution, logging and reporting−grouped at the top line of the desktop. The configuration tools are available in the Commands section. The different servers as well as their status and logging capabilities can be followed and monitored by clicking the indicators in the Servers section.

Test Case EditingTest cases for the NetHawk EAST LTE are defined by using a graphical EAST test case language, similar to SDL, the well-known language used for defining state machines in telecommunications.

Message EditingThe message libraries are delivered with the NetHawk EAST. However, if there is a need to update those libraries or a need to create a specific protocol for controlling the system under test or other test instruments for example, a graphical message library editing tool has been created for that purpose. It allows users to add, delete and modify message structures and information element fields and use the modified message templates in the test cases immediately.

Test ExecutionFor test case execution, the NetHawk EAST LTE has Test Case Runner, Load Runner and Test Suite Runner, all of which have the same basic framework. Load Runner adds capabilities for profiling the execution of several instances simultaneously. Statistical tables and graphs can also be used for monitoring the test progress. Test Suite Runner enables the scheduling of test case groups for execution at a given time. In all Test Runners, the simulation can be monitored in forms of message sequence charts, textual traces and state machine execution path follow-ups.

Figure 1: NetHawk EAST LTE test case editor

Figure 2: NetHawk EAST LTE protocol builder

Figure 3: NetHawk EAST ITF fl exible product structure

Figure 4: NetHawk EAST LTE event trace view from Load Runner

NetHawk EAST LTE for eNB Testing

EXFO is certified ISO 9001 and attests to the quality of these products. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. EXFO has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this specification sheet is accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions, and we reserve the right to modify design, characteristics and products at any time without obligation. Units of measurement in this document conform to SI standards and practices. In addition, all of EXFO’s manufactured products are compliant with the European Union’s WEEE directive. For more information, please visit www.EXFO.com/recycle. Contact EXFO for prices and availability or to obtain the phone number of your local EXFO distributor.

For the most recent version of this spec sheet, please go to the EXFO website at www.EXFO.com/specs. In case of discrepancy, the Web version takes precedence over any printed literature. sales contact sales@NetHawk.EXFO.com, customer support support@NetHawk.EXFO.com

EXFO Corporate Headquarters > 400 Godin Avenue, Quebec City (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA | Tel.: +1 418 683-0211 | Fax: +1 418 683-2170 | info@EXFO.com

Toll-free: +1 800 663-3936 (USA and Canada) | www.EXFO.com

EXFO America 3701 Plano Parkway, Suite 160 Plano, TX 75075 USA Tel.: +1 800 663-3936 Fax: +1 972 836-0164 EXFO Asia 151 Chin Swee Road, #03-29 Manhattan House SINGAPORE 169876 Tel.: +65 6333 8241 Fax: +65 6333 8242EXFO China Tower C, Beijing Global Trade Center, Room 1207 Beijing 100013 P. R. CHINA Tel.: + 86 10 5825 7755 Fax: +86 10 5825 7722 36 North Third Ring Road East, Dongcheng DistrictEXFO Europe Omega Enterprise Park, Electron Way Chandlers Ford, Hampshire S053 4SE ENGLAND Tel.: +44 2380 246810 Fax: +44 2380 246801EXFO NetHawk Elektroniikkatie 2 FI-90590 Oulu, FINLAND Tel.: +358 (0)403 010 300 Fax: +358 (0)8 564 5203EXFO Service Assurance 270 Billerica Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 USA Tel.: +1 978 367-5600 Fax: +1 978 367-5700

SPEAST-LTE.2AN © 2011 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved. 2008

Printed in Canada 11/02

TEST PACKAGES IN DETAIL

S1 INTERFACE TESTING (MME/SGW)This package simulates MME and SGW toward eNB. The following procedures are supported:

Uplink NAS transport (M) Downlink NAS transport Attach (successful) Attach reject Attach failure (CORE) procedures Authentication procedure Normal detach, power-off detach and idle-mode detach (MO/MT) Idle mode TAU UE context release Service request success retry (MO/MT) Initial UE S1 setup procedure NAS transport procedure Initial context setup Reset procedure (eNB triggered) Error indication procedure (eNB triggered) DataGen fixed/PRBS IP-routing for transparent data transfer Security mode command procedure UE initiated dedicated bearer setup/release Paging procedure (MO/MT) UE ESM failure Inter eNB X2 Intra MME/Serving GW handover Multiple dedicated bearer with TFT filtering Re-attach during datagen TAU success intra MME intra SGW idle mode Inter eNB S1 handover (Inter MME with Intra/Inter SGW) Service request pending TAU request retry UL NAS TAU request retry initial UE Delete bearers IPXpress TC indirect data forwarding IPXpress error indication Multiple PDN connectivity X2 handover IPXpress GTP UE context modification S1 flex support Emergency attach NW initiated dedicated bearer deactivation CS fallback with redirection S1

X2 INTERFACE TESTING (ENB)This package simulates eNB toward another eNB. The following procedures are supported:

Handover preparation successful handover preparation failure Handover cancel X2 setup Reset Load information Resource status reporting initiation resource status reporting eNB configuration update Handover preparation SN status transfer UE context release

SUPPORTED PROTOCOLS NAS 3GPP 24301 v850

S1AP 3GPP 36413 v880

X2AP 3GPP 36423 v860

TCP

IP

SCTP

GTP-U

IPSec

NetHawk EAST LTE for eNB Testing