Certain methodologies and specifications for testing LTE’s radio interface have been developed along with the specifications for LTE network implementation, but a standardized method for comprehensively evaluating the entire LTE eNB system does not exist today. There are testing standards in 3GPP that focus on separate elements (layers) of User Equipment (UE) and eNBs, as listed below. However, specifications for an integrated methodology for the system as a whole have not yet been established. As a result, NEMs and operators are evaluating equipment using their own various methodologies from their experiences in legacy mobile network development.
3GPP specifications for individual elements and layers
In today’s highly advanced wireless technology environment, having individual evaluation methods for separate, basic functions is insufficient. The industry needs a new approach to evaluate the full performance of the eNB, which carries out the E-UTRAN’s most complicated functions. In LTE systems, eNBs are the network node with the highest number of deployments, and their deployment accounts for the largest capital expenditure among other nodes. Artiza Networks proposes the “LTE eNB Evaluation Methodology,” which establishes a new standard for full-system evaluation of LTE eNBs. Artiza’s LTE eNB Tester is a complete test suite that includes C-plane testing to evaluate radio resource management, U-plane QoS testing, C-U combined testing, NAS testing, and various other types of system evaluation. Since completing the first trial tests in the industry, Artiza has developed a comprehensive methodology to enable operators’ and manufacturers’ QA teams to overcome the challenge of effectively evaluating their LTE eNBs.
