Over-the-air isolation testing
First Claim
1. A method for isolating a problem in a live cellular network that includes a network base station that connects an over-the-air network to a backhaul network that connects the network base station to a core network in a data center, the method comprising:
- running an over-the-air version and a wired network version of a network test originating from a single mobile test device test using a unitary set of SIM card data in both the over-the-air and wired network session tests,wherein the over-the-air version of the network test uses the test device connected over the air to the network base station, and the wired network version of the network test uses the test device with a wired connection to an IP network and emulates the network base station;
triggering the testing device to run a first test, launching as the first test the over-the-air version of the network test, and collecting first test results;
triggering the testing device to run a second test, launching as the second test the wired network version of the network test that comprises emulating the network base station, and collecting second test results;
comparing the first and second test results to determine whether the problem exists in the over-the-air network or exists within the wired network upstream of the base station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A unique method/device for isolating the over-the-air segment within a mobile communications network is provided. A coordinated set of tests is run to isolate problems in an end-to-end network including over-the-air segment, wired, and core network segments. Test results are compared to identify which segment or components within a segment is failing. The testing device executes the same test in two differentiated modes. In one mode, the device acts as a mobile client device identified by subscriber identification data that communicates with the network base station over-the-air using the standard control and data protocols of the mobile network. In another mode, the testing device, identified by the same subscriber identification data, acts like the combination of the same Mobile Client Device(s) and a Network Base Station using a wired interface that is equivalent to the wired interface that connects the network base station to the rest of the wired network.
125 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for isolating a problem in a live cellular network that includes a network base station that connects an over-the-air network to a backhaul network that connects the network base station to a core network in a data center, the method comprising:
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running an over-the-air version and a wired network version of a network test originating from a single mobile test device test using a unitary set of SIM card data in both the over-the-air and wired network session tests, wherein the over-the-air version of the network test uses the test device connected over the air to the network base station, and the wired network version of the network test uses the test device with a wired connection to an IP network and emulates the network base station; triggering the testing device to run a first test, launching as the first test the over-the-air version of the network test, and collecting first test results; triggering the testing device to run a second test, launching as the second test the wired network version of the network test that comprises emulating the network base station, and collecting second test results; comparing the first and second test results to determine whether the problem exists in the over-the-air network or exists within the wired network upstream of the base station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A testing device for diagnosing an end-to-end performance problem in a live cellular network that includes a network base station that connects an over-the-air network to a backhaul network that connects the network base station to a core network in a data center, the testing device comprising:
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a processor coupled to a memory; a modem operable to send data into the over-the-air network, an interface to the backhaul network, and a subscriber identification module (SIM) storing identification data for a particular endpoint device; the testing device connected by the interface to the backhaul network, the connection positioned near the network base station; the memory storing a plurality of sets of instructions, wherein; a first set of instructions which when executed by the processor causes the processor to emulate the network base station, a second set of instructions which when executed by the processor causes the processor to launch a first test that sends data through the modem into the over the air network, and a third set of instructions which when executed by the processor causes the processor to launch a second test that sends data that emulates the network base station to send data over the backhaul network; wherein the data sent by the first test and the second test both include a unitary set of data stored in the SIM. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A testing device for verifying integrity of a small cell wireless network that includes a base station or access point for sending data to a core network, the testing device comprising:
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a processor coupled to a memory; a wireless modem; a backhaul network interface; a subscriber identification module (SIM) storing identification data for a particular endpoint device; a handset emulator; and a core network emulator; wherein the testing device is operable to; send first data from the handset emulator into the small cell wireless network through the wireless modem to the core network emulator, wherein the first data includes handset and subscriber identification data stored in the SIM; wherein a base station or access point installed in the small cell wireless network relays the first data received over the wireless network to the core network emulator, and in response to receiving the first data, the core network emulator sends response data to the handset emulator through the small cell wireless network; receive the response data; and display an indication of network functioning based on the response data. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification