PRODUCT NOTE 21

AIR INTERFACE MONITORING

WITH NETHAWK M5

Introduction
Testing different end-to-end signaling scenarios and end-to-end quality is essential to verify the functionality of the network and
network elements. End-to-end quality testing is also very important to verify services provided to end users. In many cases, tests are
done with different tools, from different vendors; combining and analyzing the results requires extra work.

New Interface for NetHawk M5 Multi-Analyzer

Combining NetHawk M5 with an Air Interface Test UE Adapter allows air interface monitoring and analysis in UTRAN and
GERAN. NetHawk M5 becomes an all-in-one solution for monitoring and analyzing end-to-end signaling from all network interfaces.
End-to-end voice and data quality analysis is also provided.

2G

3G RNC BSC
Iub
Iur Iur-g
Abis
RNC
Iub BSC
UTRAN GERAN Abis

Figure 1: New interfaces for NetHawk M5−UTRAN and GERAN air interface

Benefits
One tool to analyze signaling from both the air interface and other network interfaces concurrently
End-to-end quality of service (QoS) measurements (IP traffic delay, throughput, etc.) and subjective quality analysis for CS/PS
voice and data

overview
Air Interface Test UE is a new adapter for monitoring air interface with the NetHawk M5
All NetHawk M5 applications can be used for air interface analysis
Test UE with software application can be used as a stand-alone equipment in the field
 Product Note 21

Air Interface Solution Test UE

NetHawk’s solution uses a third-party Test UE with a specific test
software. When the test terminal is connected to the PC running NetHawk 3G
USB
M5 via a USB cable, NetHawk M5 shows the Test UE as an adapter.
The signaling can be seen in real time, correlated with other interfaces in
M5 Protocol Monitor as well as Call and Session Analysis applications.
The Recorder, Trigger and Counter applications can be used with the air
interface like any other interface.
The Test UE can also be used as a stand-alone recorder without NW NW
connecting to the PC running the M5 Analyzer. The Test UE includes Element Element
a Symbian-based software application to store air interface signaling into
an MMC card. Trace files are stored in the M5 .rec- format; files can either Figure 2: Test UE capturing air interface signaling
be copied from the UE to the PC via a USB cable or be sent automatically
to an FTP server over data connection (GPRS, EDGE or E-EDGE)
for later analysis with the M5 Analyzer. Test terminal’s trace files can also
be merged with trace files that were recorded with the M5 Analyzer at the
same time.
Test UE
Air Interface test ue
3G Trace
The Air Interface Test UE is a specific test terminal equipped with an MMC file
card, a charger and a USB cable. The M5 RF Probe Symbian application
is pre-installed into the Test UE. Prerequisites for this option are the
M5 Analyzer Engine and the applicable decoding packages (UTRAN T
or GERAN and Core). Any desired options such as the Call and Session
Analysis as well as the QoS applications can be purchased separately.

NW NW
Element Element

Figure 3: Using Test UE as a stand-alone equipment

Fast and easy Installation

The new Air Interface Test UE Adapter is easy to connect and use: simply switch the test terminal on, connect the USB cable between
the UE and the PC and turn on the M5. The new adapter appears on the online configuration panel and connection is established
automatically.
The Test UE can be configured for certain network (GSM, UMTS or dual mode). Users can also lock the Test UE into user-defined
channel. When locking to GSM, users set the band and the channel number; when locking to UMTS, users set the UARFCN and
scrambling code.
 Product Note 21

Use Cases
The NetHawk Air Interface Monitoring solution is useful for many purposes:
Functional testing of different transactions like CS calls, registrations and PS sessions in laboratory environment
HSDPA packet data capturing enables throughput measurement with QoS option in laboratory or in real network environment
End-to-end signaling and user data packet delay and quality measurements in laboratory or in real network environment
Functional testing of BTS during the installation and commissioning
RF parameter tracing provides information about the most essential 3G RF parameters, e.g., UARFN, RSSI and Cell EcNo;
parameter values can be analyzed with M5 Analyzer
Network testing with the Test UE, using the M5 RF Probe application and monitoring other network interfaces with M5 Analyzer
at the same time

Figure 4: Air interface signaling analysis with NetHawk M5 Protocol

Monitor application

Network Testing
When used as a stand-alone equipment, the Air Interface Test UE can troubleshoot subscriber complaints. Test UE connects and
configures the M5 Analyzer to monitor the interfaces related to such network elements, covering the subscriber complaints area. Test UE
goes to the subscriber complaints area and starts the software application in order to store the air interface signaling into a file. The tester
uses the Test UE like a normal handset, simulating the subscriber. Once the measurement is done, the tester merges the M5 Analyzer
and the Test UE measurements to analyze the source of the subscriber’s problem.

Delay Measurement
Together with the Air Interface Test UE, the M5 Analyzer can be used to measure the end-to-end packet and signaling delays.
With the M5 Call and Session Analysis application, users can measure the delay of message sequence between the interfaces and
analyze the internal processing delays of each network element. Packet delay measurements can be done using the M5 QoS application.
When users monitor interfaces using more than one M5 Analyzer, they can merge trace files, analyze the interfaces and measure delays.
To do so, PCs must be synchronized with the NTP or the GPS.
 Product Note 21

RF Parameters
Signaling tracing can now be complemented with RF parameter tracing. With the Air Interface Test UE Adapter, the M5 Analyzer can
measure the essential WCDMA RF parameters. The following parameters with values are stored as measurement messages in rec file
for later analysis on M5 Protocol Monitor:
UARFN Scrambling code (serving and neighbour cells)
RSSI UL maximum power
Cell EcNo RRC state
Cell RSCP WCDMA events
Cell Pathloss
Each measurement message contains a GPS location, indicating where the message was originally obtained. RF parameter tracing can
be run at the same time as the signaling tracing to solve RF problems and assist cell optimization.

Supported Protocols*
GERAN AIR INTERFACE
GSM RR: 3G TS 44.018
GSM/3G Layer 3: 3G TS 24.008
GSM/3G SMS: 3G TS 24.011, TS 23.040, TS 23.038
GSM/3G supplementary services: 3G TS 24.080
RRC: 3G TS 25.331
RLC: 3G TS 44.060
MAC: 3G TS 44.060
LLC: 3G TS 44.064
SNDCP: 3G TS 44.065

UTRAN AIR INTERFACE

MAC: 3G TS 25.321
RLC: 3G TS 25.322
RRC: 3G TS 25.331
PDCP: 3G TS 25.323
GSM/3G Layer 3: 3G TS 24.008
GSM/3G supplementary services: 3G TS 24.080
IP applications

* For more information, consult the NetHawk M5 Protocol Support document.

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PNOTE21.1AN © 2010 EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. All rights reserved. 2008 Printed in Canada 10/07