Testing device and software

• US 20050221817A1
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HMD Global Oy
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Pinola, Timo
• Granted Patent: US 7,257,378 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/29 Performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements

Abstract

The invention relates to a testing device and a software. The cellular radio system comprises a testing device which is a fixed part of the cellular radio system and operationally connected to a data network. The testing device has a connection over radio path to one or more base stations, and the operational condition of the cellular radio system is examined by means of the testing device by utilising the radio connection of the testing device to at least one base station. In addition, the data network is utilised.

Claims

1. A testing device in a cellular radio system comprising:

at least one terminal and a network element which comprises a data network having a system controller, the data network being arranged to transmit the data required by the network element of the radio system;

at least one base station;

at least one base station controller, the at least one base station being operationally connected to the base station controller, and the base station controller being arranged to control the at least one base station; and

a testing device which is a fixed part of the cellular radio system, the testing device being operationally connected to the data network, and the testing device being arranged to be in contact over radio path to one or more base stations; and

the radio system is arranged to examine the operational condition of the cellular radio system by means of the testing device by utilising the data network and the radio connection of the testing device to at least one base station.

2. The testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device is configured to establish a two-way radio connection with at least one base station.

3. The testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device is configured to establish a connection over radio path with at least one base station, the connection being based on time division and the connection being arranged to use one time-slot to test the operation based on time division.

4. The testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device is configured to establish a connection over radio path with at least one base station, the connection being based on time division and the connection being arranged to use several time-slots to test the operation based on time division.

5. The testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device is arranged to be in connection with a base station using a packet switched mode to test the packet switched transmission.

6. The testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device is arranged to be in connection with a base station using a circuit switched mode to test the circuit switched transmission.

7. The testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device configured to establish a connection over radio path with at least one base station and the testing device is configured to perform a forced handover to another base station or to other base stations to test the handover functions of the radio system.

8. The testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device is configured to alter parameters which affect at least one register in the radio system for testing the operation of the at least one register.

9. The testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the testing device is configured to establish a connection over radio path with at least one base station using decreasing transmission power for monitoring the sensitivity and operational condition of the receiver of the base station.

10. An implementation including a software executable in a processor, the software being suitable for testing the operation of a cellular radio system comprising at least one terminal and a network element which comprises a data network having a system controller, at least one base station controller and at least one base station operationally connected to it;

the testing device, which is a fixed part of the cellular radio system, operationally connected to the data network, and over radio path connected to one or more base stations, the software comprising;

controlling at least one base station by the base station controller;

using the data network for the data transmission required by the network element of the radio system; and

examining by means of the testing device,

which testing device is a fixed part of the cellular radio system, which testing device is operationally connected to the data network,

which testing device is over radio path connected to one or more base stations, and

the operational condition of the cellular radio system by utilising the data network and the radio connection of the testing device to at least one base station.

11. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, directing the testing device to establish a two-way radio connection to at least one base station in order to test the operation of the radio system.

12. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, measuring the data transmission rate of a known transmission path with a time-stamped test signal,

the transmission path comprises the radio path between the testing device and the base station, and a data network, and

the route of the test signal on the transmission path of the cellular radio system is known.

13. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, directing the testing device to establish a connection over radio path with at least one base station, and the connection is based on time division and it is directed to use one time-slot to test the operation based on the time division of the cellular radio system.

14. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, directing the testing device to establish a connection over radio path with at least one base station, and the connection is based on time division and it is directed to use several time-slots to test the operation based on the time division of the cellular radio system.

15. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, transmitting data in packet switched mode in the connection established between the testing device and the base station in order to test the packet switched transmission.

16. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, transmitting data in circuit switched mode in the connection established between the testing device and the base station in order to test the circuit switched transmission.

17. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, directing the testing device to establish a connection over radio path with at least one base station and directing the testing device to perform a forced handover to another base station or to other base stations to test the handover functions of the radio system.

18. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, directing the testing device to test the operation of at least one register of the radio system by altering the parameters of the testing device which affect the tested registers.

19. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, controlling and testing in various load conditions the data transmission load of the data network.

20. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, directing the testing device to establish a connection over radio path with at least one base station, and reducing the transmission power of the testing device and monitoring the sensitivity and operational condition of the receiver of the base station.

21. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, monitoring the operation of the base station by means of message signals through the data network during testing.

22. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, transmitting by the base stations of the cellular radio system a known signal over radio path,

receiving by the testing device a known signal transmitted by at least one base station,

if an erroneous known signal is received from the monitored base station, sending an error message through the data network.

23. The implementation as claimed in claim 10, wherein if the testing fails, sending an error message.