JDSU today announced it is closely collaborating with smartTECH to offer wireless service providers and network equipment manufacturers a solution that is claimed to dramatically improve and accelerate the assessment of capacity and throughput in Radio Access Networks (RANs).
The JDSU Distributed Network Analyzer (DNA) and Signaling Analyzer Real Time (SART) provide the real-time measurements and protocol analysis that enable smartTECH’s TECHtrace application to model capacity based on actual calls and call flows at the cell level. This combination of tools is the only solution that eliminates the need for imprecise simulation and statistical modeling, which often take months and require significant expenditure on additional technology such as mapping, GPS connectivity, and aerial photography. The solution complements JDSU Drive Test products.
TECHtrace allows users to optimize and troubleshoot the RAN cell-by-cell through SART/DNA’s direct probing and tracing. The solution incorporates data from caller handsets to accurately measure traffic and detect and analyze interference patterns, cell power overlap, the impact of overlap, and where there are gaps. TECHtrace can quickly drill down into millions of calls within a Radio Network Control (RNC) area, and can also localize a specific call on a map, detect where it begins, where the caller is moving, and what type of handset is being used. Operators can assess the causes of dropped calls and determine which handsets function poorly within their networks.
The JDSU/smartTECH solution has the critical capacity to detect the vendor-individualized call flow procedures within a network, and provide both per-vendor benchmark KPIs as well as standards-based 3GPP KPIs. This allows users to view data across different vendors in the same structure and format, and make vendor-neutral assessments of network performance.
The solution also enables operators to determine cell service capability—i.e. whether a cell or cell sectors have the load capacities to support specific types of services such as VoIP or video streaming. Cell service capability is affected by interference, and varies under different scenarios, such as whether a caller is driving or stationary. The solution provides the information operators need to improve load capacities so they can offer the services their customers want.
“TECHtrace has very powerful, industry-unique capabilities, and it serves our customers exceptionally well when it operates on the most accurate real-time call and signaling data available,” said Michael Zach project manager at SmartTECH. “This is why we run our tool on the JDSU protocol analysis test system. We were particularly pleased with the recent recognition of SART as Best Test Product for LTE.”
“JDSU SART, DNA, Drive Test, and smartTECH TECHtrace comprise the most accurate and efficient package of tools available to plan and optimize wireless networks,” said Chris Stanley, director in JDSU’s Communications Test and Measurement business segment. “Our customers can feel confident that the range and complementary design of these tools will equip them to meet challenges posed by high-speed, high-volume networks, now and in the future.”