Embedding sample voice files in voice over IP (VOIP) gateways for voice quality measurements

• US 20020167937A1
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goodman, Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,280,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/69 for evaluating synthetic or decoded voice signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6481 Speech, voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1106 Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2236 Quality of speech transmission monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/323 for the arrangements providing the connection (test connection, test call, call simulation)
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

A mechanism to measure voice call quality in a Voice over IP (VOIP) network using a single voice call quality test probe is described. VOIP communications devices, such as gateways, that are deployed at various points along the border of the VOIP network each are configured to play an embedded reference voice file in response to test calls placed by the test probe to those devices. The test probe measures voice call quality by recording the played voice file and comparing it to the test probe'"'"'s own copy of the reference voice file. The comparison uses a standard voice call quality analysis algorithm, such as Perceptual Analysis Measurement System (PAMS) or Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement (PSQM).

Claims

1. A method of testing voice call quality in a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) network comprising:

enabling a communications device connected to the VOIP network to answer a test call received over the VOIP network by playing a voice file;

generating a test call over the VOIP network to the communications device; and

measuring voice call listening quality from the voice file played by the communications device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications device is a VOIP gateway.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring comprises:

measuring the voice call listening quality using a perceptual test model.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the perceptual test model comprises Perceptual Analysis Measurement System (PAMS).

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the perceptual test model comprises Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement (PSQM).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling comprises:

configuring the communications device to use an interactive response unit within the communications device to answer the test call.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating comprises:

controlling a test probe to place the test call to the communications device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein measuring comprises:

using the test probe that placed the test call to measure the voice call listening quality.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the test probe is connected to the VOIP network over an IP connection.

10. A method of testing voice call quality in a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) network comprising:

enabling communications devices connected to the VOIP network to answer test calls received over the VOIP network by playing embedded voice files;

controlling a single test probe to generate test calls over the VOIP network to the communications devices; and

using the single test probe to measure the voice call listening quality from the embedded voice files played by the communications devices.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the communications devices include a VOIP gateway.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the communications devices further include a VOIP telephone.

13. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium for testing voice quality in a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) network, comprising instructions causing a computer to:

enable a communications device connected to the VOIP network to answer a test call received over the VOIP network by playing a voice file;

generate a test call over the VOIP network to the communications device; and

measure voice listening quality from the voice file played by the communications device.