Testing and validation of user equipment for a cellular network

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10356597-B2
Application number	US-201615145481-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 3, 2016
Priority date	May 3, 2016
Publication date	Jul 16, 2019
Grant date	Jul 16, 2019

Abstract

Compatibility and/or compliance testing for a wireless cellular network may be performed using a testing system that includes a device that implements multiple base stations in a single hardware device. Additionally, a network simulation server may simulate a core portion of the wireless cellular network. Test cases, such as test cases defined using a scripting language, may be received and the test cases may be interpreted to obtain configuration information for the testing system. Based on the configuration information, the base stations and the simulated network devices may be initially configured. After configuration, and based on the test case, a UE may be controller to interact with the simulated network in a manner implements the desired compatibility and/or compliance tests.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for testing User Equipment (UE) for compliance with a cellular wireless network, the device comprising logic to:
receive a test script that uses Testing and Test Control Notation Version 3 (TTCN-3) to specify configuration information describing an initial configuration of the cellular wireless network, the test script defining a test relating to operation of the UE in the cellular wireless network, and the configuration information including:
configuration information relating to an initial configuration of a plurality of evolved Node Bs (eNBs) associated with a Radio Access Network (RAN), and
configuration information relating to an initial configuration of a core portion of the cellular wireless network, the core portion of the cellular wireless network being implemented via a simulation of an operation of one or more network devices;

translate the TTCN-3 test script to generate a C/C++ configuration file that includes the configuration information specified by the TTCN-3 test script;
cause configuration of the plurality of eNBs, based on the configuration information, in the C/C++ configuration file, relating to the initial configuration of the plurality of eNBs, and configuration of the one or more network devices, based on the configuration information, in the C/C++ configuration file, relating to the one or more network devices;
execute the test script to determine a set of run-time commands, for the UE, to implement the test, wherein the determined test script indicates designated particular times for a plurality of run-time commands, of the determined set of run-time commands, wherein a first one of the run-time commands is associated with a first designated time, and wherein a second one of the run-time commands is associated with a second designated time that is different from the first designated time,
wherein the UE implements the test by executing the determined run-time commands,
wherein executing the first run-time command causes the UE to communicate wirelessly with at least one of the eNBs, of the plurality of eNBs, at the first designated particular time, and
wherein executing the second run-time command causes the UE communicate wirelessly with the at least one of the eNBs, of the plurality of eNBs, at the second designated particular time; and

receive test results, relating to the implementation of the test by the UE, wherein the test results are based on the wireless communication between the UE and the at least one eNB, wherein the test results include information relating to conditions of an air interface between the UE and the at least one eNB, the test results being received from:
the UE,
the plurality of eNBs, and
the core portion of the cellular wireless network.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of eNBs include small cell eNBs that are implemented within a single physical enclosure.

3. The device of claim 2 , further comprising:
a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Ethernet port to connect to the single physical enclosure, and
a second USB port to which the UE is connected, wherein the second USB port is used for communications between the device and the UE.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the simulation of the operation of the one or more network devices includes simulation of a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the UE is a first UE, wherein the at least one eNB includes a first eNB, and wherein the plurality of eNBs includes at least a second eNB that is communicatively coupled to a second UE,
wherein the test results further indicate a measure of interference, of communications associated with the first UE, that is caused by the second UE.

6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the simulation of the operation of the one or more network devices further includes simulation of a Serving Gateway (SGW).

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the simulation of the operation of the one or more network devices further includes simulation of one or more Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia (IMS) network devices.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the simulation of the operation of the one or more network devices further includes simulation of a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW).

9. A method for testing User Equipment (UE) for compliance with a cellular wireless network, the method comprising:
receiving a test script that uses Testing and Test Control Notation Version 3 (TTCN-3) to specify configuration information describing an initial configuration of the cellular wireless network, the test script defining a test relating to operation of the UE in the cellular wireless network, and the configuration information including:
configuration information relating to an initial configuration of a plurality of evolved Node Bs (eNBs) associated with a Radio Access Network (RAN), and
configuration information relating to an initial configuration of a core portion of the cellular wireless network, the core portion of the cellular wireless network being implemented via a simulation of an operation of one or more network devices;

translating the TTCN-3 test script to generate a C/C++ configuration file based on the configuration information specified by the TTCN-3 test script;
causing configuration of the plurality of eNBs, based on the configuration information, in the C/C++ configuration file, relating to the initial configuration of the plurality of eNBs, and configuration of the one or more network devices, based on the configuration information, in the C/C++ configuration file, relating to the one or more network devices;
executing the test script to determine a set of run-time commands, for the UE, to implement the test, wherein the determined test script indicates designated particular times for a plurality of run-time commands, of the determined set of run-time commands, wherein a first one of the run-time commands is associated with a first designated time, and wherein a second one of the run-time commands is associated with a second designated time that is different from the first designated time,
wherein the UE implements the test by executing the determined run-time commands,
wherein executing the determined run-time commands causes the UE to communicate wirelessly with at least one of the eNBs, of the plurality of eNBs, at the first designated particular time, and
wherein executing the second run-time command causes the UE communicate wirelessly with the at least one of the eNBs, of the plurality of eNBs, at the second designated particular time; and

receiving test results, relating to the implementation of the test by the UE, wherein the test results are based on the wireless communication between the UE and the at least one eNB, wherein the test results include information relating to conditions of an air interface between the UE and the at least one eNB, the test results being received from:
the UE based on the execution of the run-time commands,
the plurality of eNBs, and
the core portion of the cellular wireless network.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of eNBs include small cell eNBs that are implemented within a single physical enclosure.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the simulation of the operation of one or more network devices includes simulation of a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the UE is a first UE, wherein the at least one eNB includes a first eNB, and wherein the plurality of eNBs includes at least a second eNB that is communicatively coupled to a second UE,
wherein the test results further indicate a measure of interference, of communications associated with the first

Assignees

• Verizon Patent & Licensing Inc

Inventors

• Prasad Abhinav
• Schmidt Christopher M
• Becht Carol
• Iyer Krishna Pichumani

Classifications

• H04L43/50

  Testing arrangements · CPC title

• H04L41/0803 Primary

  Configuration setting · CPC title

• H04W8/02 Primary

  Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks · CPC title

• H04W88/16

  Gateway arrangements · CPC title

• H04W24/02

  Arrangements for optimising operational condition · CPC title