Method and apparatus for testing traffic and auxiliary channels in a wireless data communication system

• US 20030142629A1
• Filed: 12/10/2001
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Bender, Paul E., Mohanty, Bibhu, Pankaj, Rajesh K., Krishnamurthi, Rajeev
• Granted Patent: US 8,089,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/249
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/0085 using test signal generators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0847 Transmission error
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0888 Throughput
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Techniques to test performance of terminals and access points in CDMA data (e.g., cdma2000) systems. A framework of protocols and messages is provided to support systematic performance testing of terminals and to ensure interface compatibility. The framework comprises a Forward Test Application Protocol (FTAP) for testing forward channels and a Reverse Test Application Protocol (RTAP) for testing reverse channels. Techniques are also provided to (1) test different types of channels (e.g., traffic channels as well as auxiliary channels), (2) test bursty data transmissions, (3) support “persistence” testing (i.e., continued testing over connection and disconnection), (4) force the settings of certain auxiliary channels (e.g., so that the error rate of the channels may be determined), and (5) collect, log, and report various statistics that may be used to derive performance metrics such as throughput and packet error rate.

Claims

1. A method for testing a plurality of channels associated with a forward link in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

receiving a first message having included therein test settings for one or more channels comprising traffic channels, auxiliary channels, or a combination thereof;

configuring the one or more channels based on the test settings in the first message;

receiving test packets via a forward traffic channel;

transmitting loop back packets via a reverse traffic channel; and

transmitting signaling data via traffic or one or more auxiliary channels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each loop back packet includes data descriptive of one or more test packets.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless data communication system is a CDMA system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the CDMA system supports cdma2000 HAI standard.

5. A memory communicatively coupled to a digital signal processing device (DSPD) capable of interpreting digital information to:

receive a first message having included therein test settings for one or more channels comprising traffic channels, auxiliary channels, or a combination thereof;

configure the one or more channels based on the test settings in the first message;

receive test packets via a forward traffic channel;

transmit loop back packets via a reverse traffic channel; and

transmit signaling data via traffic or one or more auxiliary channels.

6. A method for testing one or more channels in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

receiving a first data transmission via a first channel;

identifying parameter values descriptive of the first data transmission;

forming a second data transmission with the identified parameter values; and

transmitting the second data transmission via a second channel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first channel is a forward traffic channel and the second channel is a reverse traffic channel.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first data transmission comprises a plurality of test packets and the second data transmission comprises a plurality of loop back packets, and wherein the loop back packets include the parameter values descriptive of the test packets.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein one loop back packet is formed for each particular time interval.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein each loop back packet covers zero or more test packets.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein each loop back packet includes a first field indicative of a specific protocol to which the loop back packet belongs.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein each loop back packet includes a second field indicative of a specific packet type for the loop back packet.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein each loop back packet includes a third field indicative of a start of a specific time interval covered by the loop back packet.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein each loop back packet includes a fourth field indicative of whether any loop back packets were lost due to buffer overflow.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein each loop back packet includes a fifth field indicative of a specific number of records included in the loop back packet, wherein one record is included for each test packet covered by the loop back packet.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein each loop back packet includes one record for each test packet covered by the loop back packet, each record including a set of fields for a set of parameter values identified for the corresponding covered test packet.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each record includes a first field indicative of whether or not the record includes a sequence number of a signaling message used to assign the first channel.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each record includes a second field indicative of the sequence number for the signaling message.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein each record includes a third field indicative of a transmission source of the test packet covered by the record.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein each record includes a fourth field indicative of a time period over which the test packet covered by the record was received.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein each record includes a fifth field indicative of a number of MAC packets received in a Physical Layer packet containing the test packet covered by the record.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein each record includes a sixth field indicative of whether or not a sequence number for the covered test packet is included in the record.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein each record includes a seventh field indicative of a sequence number for the covered test packet.

24. The method of claim 8, wherein each loop back packet includes a parameter value indicative of omission of one or more test packets.

25. The method of claim 8, within each test packet includes a first field indicative of a specific protocol to which the test packet belongs.

26. The method of claim 8, wherein each test packet includes a second field indicative of a specific packet type for the test packet.

27. The method of claim 8, wherein each test packet includes a third field indicative of a sequence number of the test packet.

28. A memory communicatively coupled to a digital signal processing device (DSPD) capable of interpreting digital information to:

receive a first data transmission via a first channel;

identify parameter values descriptive of the first data transmission;

form a second data transmission with the identified parameter values; and

transmit the second data transmission via a second channel.

29. A method for testing one or more channels in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

receiving a plurality of test packets via a forward traffic channel;

identifying a transmission source and a sequence number of each received test packet;

forming a plurality of loop back packets for the plurality of received test packets, wherein each loop back packet covers zero or more test packets and includes the transmission source and the sequence number of each covered test packet; and

transmitting the loop back packets via a reverse traffic channel.

30. A method for testing one or more channels in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

sending a first data transmission via a first channel;

receiving a second data transmission via a second channel, wherein the second data transmission includes parameter values descriptive of the first data transmission; and

updating a plurality of variables based on the parameter values included in the second data transmission.

31. A method for testing one or more channels in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

sending a plurality of test packets via a forward traffic channel;

receiving a plurality of loop back packets via a reverse traffic channel, wherein each loop back packet covers zero or more test packets and includes a transmission source and a sequence number of each covered test packet; and

updating a plurality of variables for a plurality of transmission sources based on the transmission source and the sequence number of each test packet covered by the received loop back packets.

32. A method for testing forward link for specific configuration of one or more auxiliary channels in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

receiving a first message having included therein test settings for the one or more auxiliary channels;

configuring each auxiliary channel based on test settings applicable to the auxiliary channel; and

transmitting each configured auxiliary channel in accordance with the applicable test settings.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein each test setting is provided via a respective record in the first message.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more auxiliary channels is used for signaling.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the first message includes a first test setting for a particular bit value to be transmitted on an acknowledgment (ACK) channel.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the first message includes a second test setting for a particular value to be transmitted on a data rate control (DRC) channel.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the first message includes a third test setting for a particular cover to be used for a data rate control (DRC) channel.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the first message includes a fourth test setting indicative of maintenance of a test mode in event of a connection closure or a lost connection.

39. A memory communicatively coupled to a digital signal processing device (DSPD) capable of interpreting digital information to:

send a plurality of test packets via a forward traffic channel;

receive a plurality of loop back packets via a reverse traffic channel, wherein each loop back packet covers zero or more test packets and includes a transmission source and a sequence number of each covered test packet; and

update a plurality of variables for a plurality of transmission sources based on the transmission source and the sequence number of each test packet covered by the received loop back packets.

40. A method for testing a link in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

collecting a first statistic for a first parameter while in a first operating state;

collecting a second statistic for a second parameter while in a second operating state;

receiving a first message requesting the first or second statistic; and

sending a second message with the requested first or second statistic.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the first parameter corresponds to changes in active set pilot while in an idle state.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the second parameter corresponds to changes in serving sector while in a connected state.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

receiving a third message to reset the first and second statistics; and

resetting the first and second statistics in response to receiving the third message.

44. A memory communicatively coupled to a digital signal processing device (DSPD) capable of interpreting digital information to:

collect a first statistic for a first parameter while in a first operating state;

collect a second statistic for a second parameter while in a second operating state;

receive a first message requesting the first or second statistic; and

send a second message with the requested first or second statistic.

45. A method for testing a traffic channel in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

receiving a first message having included therein test settings for the traffic channel;

forming a plurality of test packets for transmission on the traffic channel;

selecting rates for the test packets based on a rate selection scheme; and

transmitting the test packets at the selected rates on the traffic channel.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the first message includes a minimum rate and a maximum rate for the test packets.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the selected rates for the test packets are cycled between the minimum and maximum rates.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the selected rates for the test packets are further limited by a maximum rate specified by a media access control (MAC) protocol.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein the first message includes an indication of maintenance of a test mode on the traffic channel in event of a connection closure or a lost connection.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein each test packet includes a first field indicative of a specific protocol to which the test packet belongs.

51. The method of claim 45, wherein each test packet includes a second field indicative of a specific packet type for the test packet.

52. The method of claim 45, wherein each test packet includes a third field indicative of a particular time instance when the test packet was generated.

53. The method of claim 45, wherein each test packet includes a fourth field indicative of whether or not a test packet was lost due to buffer overflow.

54. The method of claim 45, wherein each test packet includes a field for each of a plurality of possible rates for the test packet, and wherein each rate field includes a sequence number of a test packet last transmitted at the corresponding rate.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein each test packet includes fields for all possible reverse link rates.

56. A memory communicatively coupled to a digital signal processing device (DSPD) capable of interpreting digital information to:

receive a first message having included therein test settings for the traffic channel;

form a plurality of test packets for transmission on the traffic channel;

select rates for the test packets based on a rate selection scheme; and

transmit the test packets at the selected rates on the traffic channel.

57. A method for testing a reverse traffic channel in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

receiving a first message having included therein a minimum rate and a maximum rate for data transmission on the reverse traffic channel;

forming a plurality of test packets for transmission on the reverse traffic channel, wherein each test packet includes a sequence number of a test packet last transmitted at each of a plurality of possible rates;

selecting rates for the test packets based on a rate selection scheme and limited by the minimum and maximum rates; and

transmitting the test packets at the selected rates on the reverse traffic channel.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

queuing the formed test packets.

59. A method for testing a traffic channel in a wireless data communication system, comprising:

sending a first message having included therein test settings for the reverse traffic channel;

receiving a plurality of test packets at a plurality of rates on the reverse traffic channel; and

updating a plurality of variables maintained for the plurality of rates based on the rates of the received test packets.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

for each received test packet, updating a first variable based on a sequence number of the test packet.

61. A terminal in a wireless data communication system comprising:

a receive data processor operative to receive a plurality of test packets via a forward traffic channel;

a controller operative to identify a transmission source and a sequence number of each received test packet and to form a plurality of loop back packets for the plurality of received test packets, wherein each loop back packet covers zero or more test packets and includes the transmission source and the sequence number of each covered test packet; and

a transmit data processor operative to process the loop back packets for transmission via a reverse traffic channel.

62. The terminal of claim 61, further comprising:

a buffer operative to queue the loop back packets.

65. The terminal of claim 61, further comprising:

a buffer operative to queue the formed test packets.

63. An apparatus in a wireless data communication system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of test packets via a forward traffic channel;

means to identify a transmission source and a sequence number of each received test packet;

means for forming a plurality of loop back packets for the plurality of received test packets, wherein each loop back packet covers zero or more test packets and includes the transmission source and the sequence number of each covered test packet; and

means for processing the loop back packets for transmission via a reverse traffic channel.

64. A terminal in a wireless data communication system comprising:

a receive data processor operative to receive a first message having included therein a minimum rate and a maximum rate for data transmission on a reverse traffic channel;

a controller operative to form a plurality of test packets for transmission on the reverse traffic channel, wherein each test packet includes a sequence number of a test packet last transmitted at each of a plurality of possible rates, and to select rates for the test packets based on a rate selection scheme and limited by the minimum and maximum rates; and

a transmit data processor operative to process the test packets for transmission at the selected rates on the reverse traffic channel.

66. An apparatus in a wireless data communication system comprising:

means for receiving a first message having included therein a minimum rate and a maximum rate for data transmission on a reverse traffic channel;

means for forming a plurality of test packets for transmission on the reverse traffic channel, wherein each test packet includes a sequence number of a test packet last transmitted at each of a plurality of possible rates;

means for selecting rates for the test packets based on a rate selection scheme and limited by the minimum and maximum rates; and

means for processing the test packets for transmission at the selected rates on the reverse traffic channel.

67. An access point in a wireless data communication system comprising:

a transmit data processor operative to process a plurality of test packets for transmission via a forward traffic channel;

a receive data processor operative to process a plurality of loop back packets received via a reverse traffic channel, wherein each loop back packet covers zero or more test packets and includes a transmission source and a sequence number of each covered test packet; and

a controller operative to update a plurality of variables for a plurality of transmission sources based on the transmission source and the sequence number of each test packet covered by the received loop back packets.

68. An apparatus in a wireless data communication system comprising:

means for processing a plurality of test packets for transmission via a forward traffic channel;

means for processing a plurality of loop back packets received via a reverse traffic channel, wherein each loop back packet covers zero or more test packets and includes a transmission source and a sequence number of each covered test packet; and

means for updating a plurality of variables for a plurality of transmission sources based on the transmission source and the sequence number of each test packet covered by the received loop back packets.